Smile China

News Update

NEWS UPDATE OCTOBER 29, 2009

Smile China’s mission to Nanning in September was a great success. Operating over four days in two hospitals the team of twenty-six medical and support personnel performed over one hundred procedures on eighty-five patients who could not possibly have afforded the much needed surgeries. As a result the lives of these patients have been immeasurably improved.

Continuing with Dr. Wong’s focus on international cooperation this year’s team was comprised of doctors from Canada, The U.S., Brazil, Japan, Australia, France, Hong Kong and China. Once again the team worked closely with local medical staff from Guangxi Medical University who provided excellent facilities and patient care. The tradition of mentoring local doctors and nurses was continued and expanded with many of the Chinese staff participating and observing. Prior to the start of the medical mission itself the team played a major role in The Third International Conference on Facial Plastic Surgery with lectures and live surgical demonstrations by the Smile China doctors.

Smile China has continued to provide great experience and inspiration to the many Chinese doctors who wish to continue with their own philanthropic efforts. Dr. Wong expects to expand this effort with ongoing education and cooperation with the Chinese through further missions in the coming months and years.

NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 30, 2009

We will soon be departing for our 2009 mission to the garden City of Nanning in Guangxi, China. The Guangxi Medical University Hospital has extended its welcome to our team to provide free surgical repair for one hundred impoverished children from the province of Guangxi this September.

Our team has expanded to include participants / surgeons from Australia, Canada, China, Brazil, France, Japan, and U.S.A. Our carefully selected team of specialists will enhance our expertise in the delivery of care. This furthers our vision of humanitarian outreach - to provide impoverished children from every corner of the globe who need facial reconstructive surgery with world class care. Many of our team already do philanthropic cleft lip and palate surgery in other places of the world. Dr. Wilson Dewes and Dr. Mario Ferraz of Brazil work with Fundef (Foundation for the rehabilitation of Craniofacial deformities ) in Lajeado, Brazil. Dr. Dewes formed this organization 17 years ago. The website for Fundef is www.fundef.org.br .

Another new international addition to our team this year is Professor Kikuo Kozono. Professor Kozono is in charge of a cleft lip and palate program in Japan. His joining the Smile China project this year will open a new dimension of future Japanese ( revered for cleft repair surgery ) participation with Smile China.

Dr. Travis Tollefson is associate medical director of Operation of Hope (www.OperationofHope.org) . He has done missions in Zimbabwe and Ecuador and he has contributed in China as a Smile China Project team member for many years. This summer, Dr. Tollefson took time from his busy schedule at the University of California Davis Campus to go to Harvard to study more about the effective delivery of care through surgical missions. We look forward to the sharing of his new knowledge will us.

Dr. Jonathan Sykes really believes in community involvement and has been doing Pro Bono surgery every year since 1990 . He has been to El Salvador, Russia, Bolivia, Belize,Mexico, Korea and China to do these free facial plastic surgeries. He has worked with:Medical and Dental International Care Organization, Cross Connection, Face-to-Face, Ecuadent, Operacion Esperanza and of course Smile China. This will be his fourth time in China with Smile China and we especially thank him for taking time from his busy schedule. He is flying in from his lecture in Europe and then after the Smile China Mission, he will be attending the Fall Meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery where he will (we believe) be elected to become the next President of the AAFPRS. His service to the educational committees, national committees, professional societies and professional appointments are too numerous to mention. Needless to say, he is an inspiration to many and we all wonder how he juggles his time with his full time practice, teaching obligations , research and pro bono work.

Dr. Tuan Pham of Perth, Australia is very interested in the Smile China Project model and would like to see the formation of a Smile Vietnam Project.

This year our team will commence with participation at the 3^rd International Conference on Facial Plastic Surgery. (We had also participated in the 1^st and the 2^nd in the past 2 years.) At this Conference they will be lecturing and doing live surgeries. Immediately after the conference, the Smile China Project's free surgeries will begin. In this manner of combining a well attended medical meeting with our philanthropic endeavors, we are inspiring interest of young Chinese specialist surgeons who want to continue this method of giving back to the community.

This year Smile China welcomes Dr. Li Dong, Dr. Jingling Lv, Dr. Lu Suchang and Dr. Danru Wang who are all practicing plastic surgeons in China.

Dr. Li Dong's University Hospital in Nanning already does cleft lip and palate work, through funding from the Li Ka Sing Foundation. By partnering with the Smile China Project, they are able to share expert opinions and techniques with our international team of renowned specialist surgeons.

Dr. Jingling Lv has been working very hard to make the 3^rd International Conference on Facial Plastic Surgery a success. He has been helping the Smile China Project over the last few years. This time he will also be a participating surgeon who will donate his services .

Dr. Lu Suchang was so happy with the Smile China Project since we were in his hospital in Gansu that he followed us every year to contribute and update his knowledge and network with specialist collegues. Dr. Lu Suchang has been selected by Smile Train to perform surgeries for them in his home province of Gansu since the time that Smile China Project was in Gansu. He is thankful to Smile China Project for his continuing education in updated techniques.

Dr. Danru Wang comes from the renowned Number 9 Hospital in Shanghai which is famous for its plastic surgery . Dr. T.S. Chang of Number 9 Hospital, who is the world famous “Grandfather” of Plastic Surgery of China and the developer of the radial forarm flap, is Honorary Chair of Smile China Project in China. He has been supporting us by sending a star plastic surgeon to volunteer in our project every year and this year's star from # 9 is Dr. Wang.

In fostering these friendships, we feel that the Smile China Project is contributing to the advancement of medicine and the spirit of philanthropic service. It is wonderful to be able to help one hundred children this time, but it means even more to be able to facilitate future surgeries even when we are not there.

Here is our 2009 team:

NEWS UPDATE NOVEMBER 25, 2008

Dr. Wong took a Smile China team of 9 members including North American and Chinese renowned facial plastic surgeons to Chengdu, Sichuan from Oct 27 to Nov9, 2008. Smile China was invited to participate in the Three-One Project organized by the local society for the disabled, women’s union , ministry of health and medical community. The project was to help injured victims, particularly children and women, who sustained serious facial injuries during the May 12 Sichuan earthquake. During this time, 50 patients were helped and 20 major facial reconstructive operations were performed for free for these victims.

NEWS UPDATE OCTOBER 14, 2008

Smile China participated in the
Sichuan Earthquake Rescue

June 2008 Inauguration of Project

In June of 2008, Dr. Joseph K. Wong was invited, on behalf of Smile China, to participate in the inauguration of the Three–One Project in Chengdu to provide free facial reconstructive surgery for the May 12 Sichuan earthquake victims, especially children and women. Smile China was invited to be one of the organizers of the Three-One Project in conjunction with the Chinese Medical Association, the Chinese Plastic Aesthetic Surgery Society, the Sichuan Provincial Women Union, the Sichuan Provincial Association for the Disabled, Aesthetic and Plastic Reconstructive Surgical Support in Sichuan and Sichuan Hua-Mei Plastic Cosmetic Surgery Hospital. It is an honour that Smile China is the only foreign organization asked to help with facial reconstructive surgery for the Sichuan Earthquake Rescue.

A MOVING SPONTANEOUS DONATION CAMPAIGN IN SCHOOLS FROM A TEACHER IN CHINA

60 NEW SMILES READY TO GREET THE NEW YEAR!

It is our pleasure to report to you that the mission in October 2006 was very successful. We were invited to the Number One People's Hospital of Yancheng, Jiangsu and there our team performed 75 procedures on sixty children to correct cleft lip and palate deformities. Most of these cases were complex problems on older patients, and several were cases that were rejected from local and regional programs.

The Smile China team not only helped these children with severe facial deformities with a second chance in life; they also provided an educational platform for the local surgeons to be able to provide surgical expertise and guidance on advanced cases.

October 2008 Smile China Mission

In the period between October 27 to November 5, 2008, Smile China formed a team which is comprised of both North American and Chinese surgeons to participate in the Three-One Project. 7 surgeons from both North America and China will work tirelessly to help approximately 100 patients who had sustained facial deformities during the May12 Sichuan earthquake. These patients are either children or women. This is the first session of a long term project destined to help an estimated 360,000 people injured during the earthquake. Many of the victims may have sustained facial injuries. Smile China anticipates a bigger involvement in the future with more surgeons on board.

Teammates:

NEWS UPDATE JUNE, 2007

Smile China Mission 2007:

In April of 2007, the Smile China team conducted a mission in the city of Hangzhou, Jejiang. The mission took place at the Jeijang Number One People’s Hospital under the gracious hosting of Dr. Wu Sufan. Patients were prescreened from underprivileged areas (family income less than 2000RBM per annum) in the outskirts of Jeijang and other parts of China. The registration process had to be cut short after 3 days when 335 patients and their family flocked in. 100 patients were finally chosen according to their needs, suitable age and health conditions. The remaining registrants will be archived for future missions. All operations were completed after 6 days of work without any complications. This is the first time a Smile China team was comprised of both North American surgeons as well as Chinese surgeons who had adopted the same spirit as us in helping the underprivileged. In the future, Smile China will be more proactive in recruiting more Chinese doctors to help their own.

SMILE CHINA TEAM IS HOME!

I would like to report to you that the Smile China team has successfully completed our 2007 mission in the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang.

In this mission, we have successfully completed the repairs for 100 children with cleft lips and palate deformities.

These children were chosen with strict criteria based on their family income, place of residence and age.

To our surprise, in a 3 day period of registration ( thanks to the PR from People's Daily, China Daily, and TVs, patients came from all over China ), over 400 underprivileged kids who registered fit the criteria. We could only pick the first 100. We are hoping that we would be able to help the remaining 300 in the future.

The Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital we worked at is a first rate hospital. We were extremely pleased with their preparation and organization ( they have mobilized a team of 150 people to help the mission ). The follow-up of these patients will be done at the same hospital with their doctors and the presence of our representative in China, May Siu, in August 8, 07 ( a date easy for the Chinese to remember ).

All the teammates, including the self-funded volunteers ( Sherman Xu, Jeffrey Wu, Benny Wu, Dr. Gaye Quan and Dr. Camila Vaz ) and self-funded resident doctors (Dr. Amir Rafii, Dr. Abraham Sorom and Dr. Lucy Barr ) all had a great time. They have all contributed immensely to the success of the mission.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone of you for your continual support of Smile China. Without your support, mission like this one would not have been a reality.

SMILE CHINA MISSION 2007 TEAM LIST

North American teammates:

Chinese Teammates:

There were 6 surgeons from the Department of Plastic Surgery of the Number Nine Hospital in Shanghai under the directorship of Professor T.S. Chang and Professor Q.F. Li.

NEWS UPDATE JANUARY 16, 2007

A moving spontaneous donation campaign in schools from a teacher in China. (Chinese)

NEWS UPDATE NOVEMBER 29, 2006

We are very thankful to Johnny Yip, and the organizers of the Johnny Yip concert: Hue's Innovation and Ms. Bo Bo Tam, on November 29th for their donation of $3000 to Smile China. Johnny Yip's well known and much loved songs brought back fond memories for many of the concert goers.

NEWS UPDATE SEPTEMBER 29, 2006

The Spread-A-Smile Gala of September 29th was an evening to remember. Thanks to the excellent planning and organization of our two Chairs, Carole Anthony and Suelyn Jackman, we all enjoyed a wonderful evening of great food and entertainment.

We also fundraised aprox. $150,000. The "buy a bear, give a bear to a child in China" idea, sponsored by Boris Jackman , was also a success. During our October mission in Yancheng, the children were very happy to receive the Build-a-Bear pandas as they woke up in recovery after their operations.

NEWS UPDATE SEPTEMBER 01, 2006

Smile China is preparing for its biggest mission ever. Our team of 16 will depart on October 14, 2006 for Yencheng, Jiangsu , China. This is in following a commitment made by Premier Dalton McGinty during the Ontario Trade Mission to Jiangsu last November for a humanitarian mission to that region. Our team is planning to share updated surgical techniques and treat over one hundred children with cleft lip and palate during this mission.
Our 2006 team members are:

In launching the mission, Smile China is having its 1st annual Spread A Smile Fuindraising Gala at the Mandarin Garden Banquet & Convention Centre in Brampton on Friday September 29th. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling the Smile China phone line at (905) 828-1800. It will be an enjoyable evening of good food, laughter and fun with special performances by Gerry Dee, one of Canada's top comics, John Frasier, and music to dance to by the Jay Douglas Band. We hope to see you on the 29th!

We value all contributions to Smile China's efforts and thank the following organizations and individuals who generously directed donations to us through their own fundraising efforts:

The Mark Chi Hing Tong celebrated their 98th anniversary and gave special support to Smile China through the CPB Foundation during the summer.

Mr. Michael Lo of Legend Restaurant organized a fabulous evening of Cantonese Opera at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga during the Chinese Arts Festival in July with proceeds going to Smile China through the CPB Foundation.

Mr, Andre Mak, Mississauga's Citizen of the Year 2004, celebrated his 60th birthday with a birthday wish of no presents . Instead he wanted more smiles and contributions to Smile China.

The Mississauga Convention Centre Foundation will present "The Rainbow Ball" on Friday September 22, 2006. Smile China is happy to be one of the recipient charities this year.

Mr. Jason Liu wrote a very meaningful song for Smile China. It is titled "Keep on Smiling" and it will be featured in a special slide show presentation at the gala on September 29th.

NEWS UPDATE JANUARY 01, 2006

Smile China thanks you very kindly for your donation in 2005. The money you so generously offered helped Dr. Joseph Wong and his medical team give the gift of a smile back to 62 children in the poor, remote city of Shangrao, China. The change in the self-esteem and self-confidence of a child who has had a facial deformity repaired is immeasurable. We hope this update will offer a glimpse into the success of this mission, and how your donation has helped to change a life.

NEWS UPDATE NOVEMBER 12, 2005

We have been so busy planning our upcoming mission to China on November 26, that we haven't kept the news update page fully up to date. Our apologies go out to our readers.

Currently, Smile China founder and Chair, Dr. Joseph K. Wong and Smile China Vice Chair, Dr Sydney Reimer are accompanying Ontario Premier, the Honourable Dalton McGuinty on a trade mission to China. We are honoured that Premier McGuinty is now our honourary Chair. On November 10^th in Nanjing, China, a public announcement was made jointly between the two governments that Smile China was chosen to conduct a medical humanitarian mission to help the underprivileged children in the province of Jiangsu ( Nanjing is the capital city of the province ) in 2006. The friendships and liaisons built between Smile China and Ontario and Jiangsu will only strengthen our capabilities in helping impoverished children with facial deformities in China. Drs. Wong and Reimer are travelling at their own expense.

This year's mission is to Shangrao, which is in the mountainous region of Jiangxi province. This is the first time that Smile China has been to this province. The Chinese consulate in Toronto and authorities in Jiangxi have identified a need in this province. Already, fifty-six children have been prescreened for cleft lip and palate surgeries by the local Chinese medical team. Smile China hopes to be able to do a minimum of fifty cases during this mission. Look to the Team CVs section of our website to learn more about our 2005 team members.

Smile China's premission dinner sponsored by BMO Harris Private Banking will be held on November 24, 2005 at the Prince Japanese Steakhouse. At this dinner we will be thanking our generous donors of 2005 ( donations greater than $1000.)

We also wish to thank the following organizations for organizing fund raisers that have directed proceeds to Smile China:

NEWS UPDATE OCTOBER 27, 2005

NEWS UPDATE APRIL 12, 2005

Planning has commenced for our 2005 mission that will be in October or November. The destination and exact dates are pending approval from the Chinese government. We also plan to jointly host a meeting with the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies (IFFPSS) and Chinese facial plastic surgeons at the end of the trip. This meeting will be held in Shanghai.

We are grateful to Globe and Mail writer, Jan Wong for her support of Smile China. As a result of her suggestion, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Network has donated $550.00 to Smile China from the proceeds of Jan's lunchtime talk for hospital staff given in celebration of International Women's Day. Thank you Jan and Sunnybrook & Women's College!

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend these events in support of Smile China.