Q. How prevalent are
craniofacial abnormalities?
A. One out of every 500 newborns today has a craniofacial
and clefting deformity. In the U.S. alone, over 12,000
newborns each year will need the specialized care of a
craniofacial team. And in addition to those children born
with craniofacial abnormalities, many children and adults
suffer craniofacial abnormalities due to injury.
Q. Don’t these abnormalities occur mostly in
third-world countries?
A. No, children in every state of the U.S. – of all
ethnicities and races – in every country of the world.
Q. Aren’t these procedures covered by
insurance?
A. Unfortunately, many families do not have insurance
coverage, or the condition is considered “aesthetic” and not
life-threatening so coverage is not available. We do not
want even one child to go through life with a face that was
not transformed because funds were not available.
Q. Isn’t
craniofacial surgery simply cosmetic surgery?
A. No, abnormalities of the head and face can obstruct
the trachea; can put pressure on the optic nerve, causing
blindness; can cause a severely misshapen skull resulting in
serious pressure on the brain; just to name a few of the
problems associated with this condition.
Q. Can these abnormalities be life
threatening?
A. Yes, in fact, many children born with these
abnormalities do not live to reach adulthood.
Q. Does one surgery
correct the problem?
A. No. A child may need 5-20 corrective surgeries as he
or she grows, creating a long-term responsibility to each
child.
Q. What is the role of the Foundation in
helping these patients and families?
A. The World Craniofacial Foundation:
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Provides access to surgical care
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Provides financial assistance with the secondary costs
associated with medical treatment, such as food,
transportation, lodging and ancillary
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Provides educational information for families
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Teaches doctors around the globe.
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Publishes quarterly educational newsletters
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Helps with costs associated with training Fellows in
craniofacial surgery
Q. Don’t hospitals and surgeons donate their
services for these type procedures?
A. While many facilities and physicians have been
extremely generous, not all services can be donated.
Current projections show that between three and four million
dollars in services or funding will be needed this year to
cover all foundation services.
Q. What other type of services are donated?
A. Generous donors have given hotel and transportation
services, but again, the need is greater than the donated
resources available.
Q. What conditions may be treated?
A. Nearly all birth-related and acquired abnormalities of
the head and face, including trauma, degenerative diseases
and tumors. This is a partial list of the conditions for
which the World Craniofacial Foundation provides support:
Q. What type treatment team is required?
A. Correcting these abnormalities takes the specialized
care of a multidisciplinary craniofacial team. Depending on
the severity of the deformity, the team members can include:
Q. Does the World
Craniofacial Foundation ever turn away children who have
head and facial abnormalities?
A. Unfortunately, Yes. Demand for assistance is always
greater than our ability to provide it.
Q. Does the World
Craniofacial Foundation have a long-term vision?
A. Yes. Our ten-year plan is to encourage and support
craniofacial centers of excellence around the world in order
to transform the lives of affected children.
Q. How can I help?
A. World Craniofacial Foundation needs volunteers and
financial support to help assist children with severely
deformed faces and heads, please contact us at 972.566.6669
for more information or visit our
Ways to Help. |
