Altruism

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IFC Cleft Lip & Palate Program Offers Free Care
By Patricia Mendez and Joann
Quickstad

For the past 17 seasons here, the International Friendship Club (IFC) has financed and organized the Cleft Palate Surgery program. The comprehensive program includes surgery, sppech therapy, dental and orthodontic care, and empotional counseling.

As you can see with the photos accompanying this article, the surgery program starts at 3-6 months with the first repair to the cleft lip and continues with the careful work of the orthodontist who forms the first of many *placas de obturcacíon.* The placas artificially cover the cleft in the palate so that the child can begin to eat, breathe, drink, and move his tongue to make sounds with a closed palate long before the surgeon can close it surgically.

The orthodontist works closely with the surgeon over the years to guide the shape of the growing bones and later the arranement of the teeth.

The surgical team which comes from Guadalajara four times a year to Puerto Vallarta consists of surgeons Dr. Ezequiel Fuentes and Dr. Rodolfo Becerra, their instrumentistas, Emma Gonzalez and Mari Alvarado, and anesthesiologist Dr. Emgidio de la Cruz Liontop.

We are fortunate in Puerto Vallarta to have the ongoing assistance of dedicated professionals that form the support services for this extensive program. Speech therapists Ma. De Socorro Galvan Canales and Olga Elvira Quintero, work with the kids to improve the formation of sounds as the children learn to talk.

Orthodontists Dra. Cecilia Hernandez, Dra. Luz Meda, and Dr. Marcelino Torres donate their dental and orthodontic work wit the patients of the program.

This last week, for the May program, the meals for the medical team were donated by Las Palomas Restaurant for breakfast on Friday, and Daiquiri Dick's for dinner on Wednesday night.

Peggy of Cyber Air personally cooked, delivered, and served lunch for the whole crew on Thursday, surgery day. Honorable mention goes to the staff and social workers of hte Regional Hospital who host this 3-day program every three months and have done so for the last 17 years.

We truly appreciate the immense effort on the part of everyone who helps to bring this altruistic endeavor for the children of Puerto Vallarta.

THE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CLUB OF PUERTO VALLARTA (IFC) is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1987. Our purpose is to solicit and distribute funds and materials in response to the humanitarian needs of our community and to promote friendship through social and cultural activities. The Mexican Government has granted the IFC Registered Charitable Status. www.ifcvallarta.com or www.childrenandfamiliesinneed.com or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.