Operation Smile is a
non-profit organization that gives free surgeries to repair cleft palate and
other facial deformities to children around the world.
“Operation Smile is a worldwide
global organization for children and young adults that really need medical
attention,” said Christine Dhiman, director of Operation Smile at USU. “We
don’t just see people with cleft palate. We also go for burn victims and
anybody that has serious facial deformities.”
With this organization,
cleft palate surgeries cost only $240 to perform, whereas a similar surgery in
the United States would cost about $20,000, according to Dhiman.
On Tuesday, members of
Operation Smile held their main event, Night of Smiles, in the Taggart Student
Center ballroom.
“We are going to take you
on a journey around the world,” Dhiman said to open the event.
Children with cleft
palate from different countries were spotlighted. Their stories were told about
the difficulties they have had with cleft palate and about the successes of
their surgeries.
“They’ve been shunned
pretty much just because of their facial deformities and they can’t go to
school anymore,” said Dhiman. “We wanted to dedicate a night where we could
raise awareness.”
USU international
students showcased their culture through different performances. These included
dances by the USU African Club, Dominican Student Association and the Latin
Association. Students from Russia and Saudi Arabia recited poetry in their
native languages and the Antics, a local improvisation club represented the
United States.
Jeffrey Bennion, an ear,
nose and throat doctor, was a guest speaker at the Night of Smiles and he gave
his perspective on Operation Smile.
“In the United States,
all children have access to the cleft palate surgery. Not all countries are
like that,” said Bennion. “A smile is how we recognize each other. The smile of
a child is just as important as the smile of the Mona Lisa.”
Panda Express in Logan sponsored
Operation Smile this week. On Wednesday, students were given fliers to take
into the restaurant. With the flier, 20% of any purchase was taken and donated
to Operation Smile.
“We’ll do a fundraiser
for any organization that wants to do that with us,” said Mitch Scorsone,
general manager of the Logan Panda Express. “Panda is big on community and
being involved, so we like to do that. Any little bit helps.”
Throughout the week,
Operation Smile also held a stuffed animal drive.
“We need all these
stuffed animals and it’s going to a good cause,” Dhiman said. “The kids love
it. Right when they get out of surgery that’s the best thing you can get.”
Many students are happy
to participate in the fundraisers.
“I’m familiar with
Operation Smile and I think it is a great program,” said student Idena Ward. “I
think just getting the word out there about it is very important.”
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