| | |  Vallarta Living | February 2009 
International Friendship Club Helps Children Born with Cleft Palate and Harelip
 Salvador Murguía - PVNN
| | Since 1987, the IFC has funded a Cleft Palate program that provides free medical consultation and treatment to underprivileged children born with a cleft palate or harelip. Your donations are instrumental in creating new faces for the children. | |
On February 4th, the International Friendship Club of Puerto Vallarta A.C., in association with the Regional Hospital of Puerto Vallarta, convened all the people with limited or nonexistent economical resources, born with a cleft palate or harelip to receive free medical consultation and referral to a specialist for treatment if selected for it.
Celia and Ron Walker initiated this program in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 1976 when the baby of a friend was born with a cleft palate. Their need to help led them to a surgeon in Guadalajara who provided his expertise, Dr. Ezequiel Fuentes.
Soon there was another child in need. Eventually, there were too many children to transport to Guadalajara. Ron arranged for the surgeon to come to Puerto Vallarta. He and other concerned members approached the IFC for sponsorship and funding.
Since 1987 the IFC has funded this worthwhile and rewarding program. It remains committed to continuing this program in association with Dr. Ezequiel Fuentes and his surgical team from Guadalajara, for as long as the need exists.
Over forty children annually benefit from reconstructive surgery, which is followed up by orthodontia and speech therapy. In some cases the whole process takes up to fifteen years to complete. Dr. Fuentes's Teams of Surgeons, who volunteer their skills, and your donations, are instrumental in creating new faces for the children.
The IFC covers all costs from beginning to end for both the Surgical Team and the families. The time, skill and generosity offered by Dr. Fuentes, the Surgical Team, and the Regional Hospital are very much appreciated, without them this much-needed program could not exist.
It is estimated that the IFC spends over a quarter million pesos on this program annually. In 2008, the International Friendship Club, for the first time, applied and received some funding from the Smile Train foundation to help us cover a portion of their expenses.
Your generosity makes it possible for them to serve many disfigured children. Even though some of the "before" pictures are startling, the "after" pictures are heartwarming. Knowing that you have contributed to bettering the lives, both physically and emotionally, of the children involved, will surely make you proud.
If you wish to contribute to this worthwhile program, please contact the Puerto Vallarta International Friendship Club at (322) 222-5466, our medical chairperson Patricia Mendez at 044-322-728-7519 or casatranquila(at)gmail.com, send an email to ifcvallarta(at)gmail.com, or visit ifcpv.com.
With your support, Puerto Vallarta's more than twenty-year-old Cleft Palate Program will continue to provide services to the local population for as long as the need exists. |
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