Transforming Lives, One Smile at a Time
Every child should have access to cleft care
1 in every 700 newborns is affected by cleft lip, cleft palate, or both:
ReSurge is one of the few organizations providing the full scope of reconstructive surgery, which includes tackling the global cleft problem by providing free cleft surgeries and comprehensive follow-up care.
Change a life today with your donation to ReSurge International. Your generosity helps us provide life-saving cleft palate and cleft lip surgeries to children and adults in developing nations.
![](https://resurge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DSC0513-1-1024x735.jpg)
Transform Lives Today – Sponsor a Cleft Surgery
Every Smile Tells a Story
Children like Padam, a, illuminate our mission. Born with a cleft lip and palate in rural Nepal, Padam’s ability to eat and speak was severely impaired. But a simple surgery transformed his life. Speech Therapy Camps then provided a safe space for Padam to get speech therapy, build a community, access dental care, and gain confidence in himself. Now Padam is a camp counselor, inspiring others to heal and thrive.
Through our persistent efforts in cleft lip and cleft palate repair, we help many children like Padam every year. Their healing journey does not end with surgery – our dedicated team ensures comprehensive follow-ups to foster their full recovery.
Watch his story below.
Understanding the Challenge
The challenges faced by individuals with cleft lip and palate in low- and middle-income countries are often considerably more significant than those in high-income countries, mainly due to disparities in healthcare access and resources. Here are a few of the key differences:
1. Access to Treatment
In high-income countries, newborns with cleft lip and palate are typically diagnosed immediately at birth, and treatment plans including surgery, speech therapy, and ongoing medical support are quickly put in place. However, in low- and middle-income countries, access to such comprehensive care is often limited or non-existent. Distance to healthcare facilities, cost, and lack of trained specialists can all be barriers to receiving treatment.
2. Quality of Care
Even when treatment is available in low- and middle-income countries, the quality of care can vary dramatically. High-income countries typically have multidisciplinary teams, including plastic surgeons, speech therapists, orthodontists, and psychologists, to provide comprehensive care for cleft patients. This level of care is often not available in less wealthy countries.
3. Stigma and Social Isolation
Children with untreated cleft lip and palate in low- and middle-income countries often face severe social stigma. They can be ostracized from their communities, struggle with school and education, and face challenges in their future professional lives. While stigma can exist everywhere, societal support systems and laws protecting individuals with disabilities are often stronger in high-income countries.
4. Nutrition
In low- and middle-income countries, babies with cleft lip and palate can struggle to breastfeed, leading to malnutrition and related health problems. In high-income countries, special feeding resources and support are usually readily available.
5. Financial Burden
The cost of multiple surgeries and associated care for cleft lip and palate can be prohibitive for families in low- and middle-income countries. Even when charities or government programs can help cover the cost of surgery, additional expenses like transportation, post-operative care, and speech therapy can be out of reach for many families. In high-income countries, health insurance programs usually cover most, if not all, of the cost of cleft lip and palate treatments.
Don’t Wait – Sponsor a Cleft Lip or Palate Surgery Today
These challenges underscore the importance of global health initiatives and charities like ReSurge International that aim to provide care for individuals with cleft lip and palate in underserved areas. Our expert surgeons are trained to perform cleft lip surgery and cleft palate surgery, restoring both function and aesthetics.
The ReSurge Promise
ReSurge International is dedicated to transforming lives through reconstructive surgery. We are driven by the belief that no child should suffer from a correctable deformity due to a lack of financial resources or access to care.
Our work has a far-reaching impact. It’s not just about healing a cleft lip or a cleft palate; it’s about restoring dignity and hope. It’s about a young girl in Vietnam who can now eat solid food and attend school, or a little boy in India who can now confidently interact with his peers.
You Can Make a Difference
We are grateful for the community that stands with us in our mission. Your support is vital in helping us to offer comprehensive care, including surgeries for cleft lip and cleft palate, to those who need it most.
By signing up for our newsletter, you’ll stay updated on the transformative work we’re doing around the world. With each story, we hope to inspire more people to join us in our mission.
Not ready to donate?
Sign up for news and updates in global reconstructive surgery and ReSurge’s game-changing work
How You Can Donate
Making a donation is simple, safe, and secure. Choose from one of the following options:
- One-Time Donation: Support our cause with a single, impactful contribution.
- Monthly Donation: Become a consistent pillar of support by setting up a monthly donation.
- Sponsor a Project: Pick a specific initiative and fund its realization.
Become a ReSurge Fundraiser: Get your own fundraising page & URL, share it with your friends & family
FAQ's
756 N Pastoria Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
USA
- 23-7297770
Please email us at donate@resurge.org.
Please visit https://resurge.giftlegacy.com/ or email us at donate@resurge.org