I have been serving on cleft missions for 35 years now. My passion and dedication to this cause started after...
About Alliance for Smiles
Our History
In October of 2004 six members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco founded Alliance for Smiles (AfS). Each of them had been involved with other cleft lip and palate organizations and collectively they wanted to create two types of programs: to send medical teams to sites to perform corrective surgery, and to create treatment centers where the protocol of cleft treatment in the United States could be replicated.
With these two dreams as the goal, Alliance for Smiles recruited Dr. Karin Vargervik, Director of the Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center at the UCSF Medical Center, to head the Treatment Center Program.
Our Mission Statement:
To forever improve and transform the lives of children and communities impacted by cleft lip and palate by providing free comprehensive treatment, while training and equipping local teams to sustainably provide quality, long-term care.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Anita Stangl
Special Adivisor
I became involved with cleft lip and palate repair programs in 1994 when I volunteered for a medical mission to...
John Dean
Director
My wife Susan and I are both “retired”, although we keep busy with a variety of volunteer and community projects....
Chih-Chen Fang, MD
Director
I was born in Taiwan and emigrated to Canada when I was 17 years old. I went to medical school...
Tina Fischlin
Director
Benjamin Lam
Director
For me, AfS has been a breath of very fresh air since I joined the board more than 10 years...
John O’Connor
Director
I joined the AfS Board as a result of my friendship with, and admiration for Dr. Karl Wustrack, who has...
Jim Patrick
Director
Jim Patrick is a third generation owner of Patrick & Co. founded by his grandfather in 1873. Jim found his calling to help others when...
Susan Taylor
Director / Anesthesiologist
Roderick Young
Director
Honorary Board Members
Sally Peterson-Falzone, PhD
Clinical Professor Emerita, Center for Craniofacial Anomalies Center, UCSF Medical Center
Raphael “Raffi” Garcia III
Rotary International, Director
Frank Yih, Special Representative to China
Rotary International 2016-2018 Founding Chairman, Hua Qiao Foundation and Shanghai Guo Feng Charity Foundation
William Hoffman, MD
Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UCSF Medical Center
In-House Staff
Jessica Hansen
Executive Director
Paul Vazquez
Director of Operations
After working for many years in the for-profit world, I was looking for a change – hoping to do something...
Nicholas Wong
Project Administrator
Jeremy Rhodes
Assistant Treasurer
Q & A
Frequently Asked Questions
A.
Cleft lips and palates are anomalies that occur during the early weeks of embryonic development. Predisposition is the main cause, and studies indicate that other contributing factors might include folic acid or vitamin B deficiency, the use of anti-seizure medications, exposure to chemicals and infectious disease in the mother during pregnancy. Certain environmental agents have also been cited as disruptive to the normal development of a fetus.
A.
Around one in 700 babies are born with a cleft around the world.
A.
For the courageous families in under-served countries who decide to seek medical assistance on their own, very little is available that is financially feasible. With the average cost of surgery being half of what a typical rural family earns in a year, it is clear why they feel overwhelmed and without options.
Our surgeries which transform lives cost $1,000 per child.
A.
Yes, since Alliance for Smiles is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible. AfS will supply you with a tax receipt for your donation.
A.
We have a very efficient business model which means that only .04 cents of every dollar you donate goes to our overhead expenses. This means that .96 cents of every dollar goes directly to our missions around the world.
A.
Most of our funding comes from individuals and from Rotary Clubs; we also receive many donations of equipment, supplies, and in-kind donations. Please see our Partners Page for more information. AfS pays the airfare for all medical volunteers. Non-medical volunteers pay their own way. All volunteers pay a $380 trip participation fee to cover administrative costs.
A.
There are medical volunteer opportunities for Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, Pediatricians, OR Nurses, PACU Nurses, Dentists, Orthodontists, Dental Hygienists, and Speech Pathologists. Please visit our Volunteer Page to learn more.
A.
Mission Directors, Quartermasters, Translators, Photographers, Instrument Sterilizers, Medical Record Keepers, and Patient Ward Coordinators.
Please visit our Volunteer Page to learn more.
Anyone is welcome to apply for a non-medical volunteer opportunity, however if a Rotary club is sponsoring a specific trip, priority will be given to Rotarians from that club. Volunteers must be in good physical health, as the days are long and demanding.
Flexibility is an important quality, as the responsibilities may change during the course of the mission. We also expect the commitment of volunteers to go beyond the mission by raising public awareness and conducting fundraising programs.
Spouses of volunteers may participate, as long as both spouses are volunteering as team members in specific positions.
Sorry, we do not accept minors.
A.
Traditional international efforts to repair cleft lips and palates have consisted of small teams that perform surgical procedures to correct defects. However, the initial surgery only addresses one part of the problem. Cleft patients require ongoing treatment in the disciplines of dentistry, orthodontia, speech therapy, and sometimes psychological counseling. Time and funding constraints typically make it impossible to address those needs on our short two week trips.
Even if information, expertise, and treatment were available, it would pose an impossible financial burden to the families of our target population, whose budgets are already strained by their basic daily needs for food and shelter.
Our multi-pronged approach and long-range model distinguish us from traditional international surgical teams in several ways:
- — To respond to the immediate need, we conduct two week surgical missions.
- — We provide advanced training for health care providers who are dedicated to the treatment of underserved cleft lip and palate patients.
- — We are establishing treatment centers where patients can receive follow-up and ongoing care, using the same treatment protocols used in the United States. Eventually, the centers will be owned and operated by the communities that they serve.
About Alliance for Smiles
Our Heroes
Our Founders
Alliance for Smiles was formally founded by five individuals: John Uth, John Goings, James Patrick, James Deitz and Anita Stangl. However, Alliance for Smiles wanted to recognize individuals who made a leap of faith in the concept of the work of Alliance for Smiles and decided to donate a minimum of $20,000 during the first four years of operation. They are also founders of Alliance for Smiles and will be recognized in perpetuity as such. The following individuals receive the honor of this unique position:
Mr. Burton Berry | Mrs. Debbie Jefkin-Elnakave |
Mr. Bill Benter | Mr. Benjamin Lam |
Mr. Wilber Breseman | Mrs. Noime Liangco |
Dr. Wallace Chang, M.D. | Dr. Thomas Mack, D.V.M. |
Ms. Cecile Chiquette | Mr. Donald Parachini |
Dr. Scharleen Colant, Ph.D. | Mr. James Patrick |
Dr. James Deitz, Ph.D. | Ms. Esther Rebizzo |
Ms. Barbara Fisher | Ms. Dee Dee Ricks |
Mr. John Goings | Dr. Alan Stormo, M.D. |
Allan and Nancy Herzog | Mr. Eng-Rung Tsai |
Mr. Howard Ho | Mr. John Uth |
The Family of Taipei | Tai and Tony Wang (W.A.C. Lighting) |
Mr. Joseph Hoffman | Dr. Colin and Mrs. Silvana Wong |
Rotary Clubs who supported the work of Alliance for Smiles during its first four formative years with donations of $25,000 or more received the honor of being Founding Rotary Clubs. Alliance for Smiles recognizes three Rotary Clubs with this title and they will be recognized in perpetuity for their faith in the work and dreams of Alliance for Smiles.
The Rotary Club of San Francisco
The Rotary Club of Chicago
The Rotary Club of Wanchai, Hong Kong
Alliance for Smiles wishes to thank the above individuals and Rotary Clubs for their support which has helped Alliance for Smiles to not only facilitate medical missions during its first four years but to prosper and grow.
Legacy Club
In 2009 Alliance for Smiles launched its Legacy Campaign to encourage individuals to make a minimum $5000 one-time donation; or to make multiple donations through-out the year adding up to $5000. Participation in this campaign is recognized by membership in a special Legacy Club that will be publicized on the website, at the Gala and in literature. Everyone who donated a minimum $5000 by December 31, 2009 became a Charter Member of this very special Club.
Legacy Club Charter Members | Legacy Club 2010-2011 |
---|---|
Burt Berry | Burton Berry |
Wilber Breseman | Wilber Breseman |
Tai Can -Wang | Tai Can-Wang |
Dr. Wallace Chang | Cecile Chiquette |
Cecile Chiquette | David De Roode |
David De Roode | Jim Deitz |
James Deitz | John Goings |
John Goings | Allan Herzog |
Allan Herzog | Silvia Iselin |
Bing Shin Ho | Mary Jensen |
Howard Ho | Benjamin Lam |
Joe Hoffman | Dr. Quentin Li |
Benjamin Lam | Anna Marie Marcias |
Edward Lau | Dr. Thomas Mack |
Jojo and Noime Liangco | James Patrick |
Dr. Thomas Mack | Angelo Rebizzo |
Gary Mitchell | Dr. Colin Wong |
James Patrick | Edith Richter |
Stacey Quo | Robert and Kathryn Smith |
Eng Rung Tsai | John Uth |
John Uth | Dr. Karin Vargervik |
Karin Vargervik | |
Dr. Colin Wong | |
Choi Chung Yuen |
Individuals are inspired to volunteer and donate because of their belief in the work of an organization. Especially when considering humanitarian programs, the emotions felt because of participation in a program that changes lives can have a sincere and long lasting impact.
For many, what an individual accomplishes during his or her lifetime is totally satisfying and fulfilling. Involvement in family, friends and work create a sense of well being. However, for those who want to make a mark in another way and share more of their talents and wealth with humanitarian concerns, involvement in a cause can be extremely rewarding. When they pass, they will have left a humanitarian legacy.
Those people involved in the work of Alliance for Smiles, whether as volunteers or donors, are leaving a legacy that goes beyond the lives of the children receiving surgery. It extends to the patients’ families and to their villages. Alliance for Smiles heals tens of thousands of lives when considering the extended community affected.
To carry on the work of Alliance for Smiles, funding is crucial. Therefore, those individuals who are willing and able to make significant donations are core to program sustainability. These individuals have the opportunity to allow the work of Alliance for Smiles to progress, building on an impressive past.
Therefore in 2009 Alliance for Smiles launched its Legacy Campaign to encourage individuals to make a minimum $5000 one time or multiple time donation to the work of AfS. Participation in this campaign will be recognized by membership in a special Legacy Club that will be publicized on the website, at the Gala and in literature. Everyone who donated a minimum $5000 by December 31, 2009 became a Charter Member of this very special Club.
Volunteer Awards
Year | Volunteer of the Year | Distinguished Service | John Uth Award | Lifetime Achievement | Children's Champion |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Barbara Fisher | ||||
2009 | Dave Fowler | Dr. Colin Wong | |||
2010 | Wilber Breseman | Dr. Wally Chang | |||
2011 | Dr. Quentin Li | John Goings | |||
2012 | Dr. Karin Vargervik | John Uth | |||
2013 | Tina Hollcroft | Barbara Fisher | Burton Berry | ||
2014 | Dr. Chih-Chen Fang | Tina Hollcroft | Rotary Club of Wanchai | ||
2015 | Mary Jensen | Rotary International | |||
2016 | Dr. Billy De Shazo | STOP Cleft International Alliance | |||
2017 | Rosemary Welde | David Fowler | Shanghai Ciguang Skin Health Foundation | ||
2018 | Dorothy Ferreira | Tai Wang & WAC Lighting | Dr. Colin Wong | ||
2019 | Becky Steed, RN | Dr. Karl Wustrack | Dr. Chih-Chen Fang | Dr. Karin Vargervik | |
2020 | Mary Liu | Dr. Deinde Shoga | Tina Fischlin | John Goings | |
2021 | Nan Madden | Rosemary Welde | Jean and Dave Rosenblum | Burt and Joan Berry | |
2022 | Pat LaRocco | Linda Stewart & Doug Berry | Dr. Chih-Chen Fang | ||
2023 | Dr. Susan Taylor | Barbara Fisher | Tina Fischlin | ||
2024 | Rochelle Stacks | Susan & John Dean | Dr. Karl Wustrack |
Decade of Leadership Awards
In order to celebrate dedication to AfS on the occasion of our 10th Anniversary, the Decade of Leadership Award was created to honor four remarkable individuals who have given of their skills and talents from the beginning days of Alliance for Smiles.
- Barbara Fisher
- John Goings
- Dr. Karin Vargervik
- Dr. Colin Wong
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dr. Colin Wong
- Dr. Karin Vargervik
- John Goings
- Dr. Chih-Chen Fang
Children’s Champion Award
- Burt and Joan Berry