Stories You Make Possible

Stories You Make Possible

Explore Operation Smile stories from around the world highlighting the courage of patients and their families, the dedication of our volunteers and staff, and the generosity of supporters like you.

Global
Laura Speaks During ISLC

Finding Her Purpose

Laura Alvarez’s life was changed by Operation Smile. But not because she was a patient of the organization. 
United States
Dan Meyer Stands in the Sunset with his Bike

Biking Miles for Operation Smile

Dan Meyer is an Operation Smile supporter with a grand spirit and sense of determination that is an envy to all.
Global
Nurse Linda James Smiles for the Camera

Transforming Lives at Scale

Linda James’s unique upbringing also encouraged her to expand her volunteerism past surgical programs and into helping Operation Smile develop its growing education and mentorship initiatives.
United States
ILC

Service-Learning Delivers a New Perspective to Students

Operation Smile's Interactive Learning Center has partnered with local schools to bring service-learning into the curriculum.
Mexico
Karla, in a red shirt, sits in the arm of her father, Dede, with her arm shooting up toward the skies while Dede holds her and a photo of her before surgery. Photo: Jasmin Shah.

“A pillar of my life”

VIDEO: After two years of searching for surgery for his daughter Karla, hope returned to Ángel when he learned about an Operation Smile medical mission.
Global
Volunteer nurses Rodney and MJ

Voices from the Front Line: Nurses Rodney and MJ Kapunan

Rodney and MJ Kapunan have dedicated their lives to helping others at home and abroad. As nurses, they have participating in more than 30 Operation Smile surgical missions, transforming lives of patients with cleft conditions.
Bolivia
Surgeon Dr. Billy Magee speaks with Global Surgery Fellow Atenas Bustamante and surgical resident Priyanka Naidu.

Education and Transformation: Operation Smile Champion Program

Operation Smile has witnessed how the lack of adequately trained health care professionals creates dangerous barriers to care, preventing older patients like Teofilo and Paulina from accessing timely surgery. During the March Champion Program in Bolivia, mentors paired up with eager mentees to help address this need.
Thailand
Wearing a red and blue tank top, 3-year-old Folksong holds his before image as he looks at the camera.

Meet Our Patients: Thailand

Years after receiving their cleft surgeries from Operation Smile, Ake, Folksong and Beam are living happier and healthier lives. Here are their stories.
Global
From left, post-op nurses Karen Allen of Australia and Lora Edwards of the U.K. and translator Animesh Mukherjee with Ezhan, 10 months, female, and her mother during Operation Smile India's medical mission at IQ Medical College Hospital in Durgapur, India, on February 26, 2020.

World Health Day: Health For All

This year on World Health Day, we’re drawing attention to the goal of motivating action to tackle the health challenges of today and tomorrow with the theme of “Health For All.”

Make Your Gift

Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition. Your gift today will help transform lives and increase access to essential surgical care.

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