Wedding season is now upon us, with brides and grooms all over the UK searching for the perfect suggestions for their gift lists and table favours for their guests.
In recent years, a trend has emerged for couples to ask for a charity donation in lieu of a traditional wedding gift. Or make a donation on their guests’ behalf instead of a more typical table favour. This trend is continuing to grow in popularity and is seen by many couples as a way to make their day extra special.
If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding and are searching for a charity to share your special day with, why not help to create ‘forever smiles’ by donating to Smile Train?
Here we have outlined some of the reasons why brides and grooms should consider donating to our cause on their big day:
CHILDREN WITH UNTREATED CLEFTS MAY NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MARRY WHEN THEY GROW UP
Your wedding is one of the most special days of your life. It’s a day filled with love, laughter, and endless smiles. Unfortunately, many children with untreated clefts often face serious health complications and have difficulty smiling.
This is because many children with clefts in resource-poor communities do not have access to cleft treatment or comprehensive cleft care. They are often isolated, which can prevent them from having the chance to socialize with others and eventually get married when they grow up.
Making a donation to Smile Train, in place of a wedding gift or table favours will help to provide 100% free cleft surgery and vital comprehensive cleft care that is needed to give children with clefts their forever smiles and the opportunity to live healthy, productive lives.
CLEFT LIP AND PALATE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A COSMETIC ISSUE
It is often assumed that cleft lip and palate are purely cosmetic concerns however, this is certainly not the case. When left untreated, clefts can lead to serious health issues. Babies born with the condition who do not have access to proper medical care will often struggle with physical problems such as the ability to eat, breathe, and speak properly.
These issues can then, in turn, lead to further problems such as malnutrition and difficulty with communication. Cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft treatment are extremely important for a child, and wedding donations can help raise the vital funds for these needs.
NOT ALL CHILDREN WITH CLEFTS RECEIVE THE SAME LEVEL OF CARE AS CHILDREN DO IN THE UK
Babies are born with cleft lip and/or palate all across the world. This includes the UK and other countries in the western world – however, we rarely see children with untreated clefts in the UK because treatment is offered for free on the NHS, and is typically carried out very soon after the child has been born.
In other, less developed areas of the world, many children are not as fortunate. Families often do not have access to quality healthcare services or the resources to pay for proper cleft treatment, which is why it is more common to see children with untreated clefts in these countries – at much older ages.
CLEFTS CAN BE TREATED
The good news is that children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate can be helped with cleft repair surgery, which can take as little as 45 minutes to carry out.
Reconstructive surgery for cleft lip and palate has evolved over more than half a century, and modern techniques and procedures have come a long way. Most experts agree that cleft lips should generally be repaired 3-6 months after birth. Cleft palates typically can be repaired between 9 and 18 months of age, and most surgeries, even at later ages, are still expected to be successful. The surgeries can change a child’s life drastically – by giving them a new, forever smile.
CLEFT CARE DOESN’T JUST STOP AFTER SURGERY
Reconstructive surgery is a very important part of the cleft repair process, but it’s not the only one. After surgery, some patients may experience challenges with hearing, speech delay, and problems with oral health, which can complicate their recovery process.
At Smile Train, our comprehensive cleft care programs include essential treatments beyond cleft repair surgery, such as nutritional support, orthodontic care, dental care, psychological services, and speech services. This care helps to ensure long-term, successful rehabilitation for cleft patients, thereby improving their quality of life and wellbeing. The money from your wedding favours or gift contributions will help us provide care for all of those in need of treatment.
To start a wedding fundraiser or order Smile Train wedding favours visit smiletrain.org.uk/Wedding