News Update

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

Click for detail (Chinese)

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:

• Dr. Joseph K. Wong, team leader, facial plastic surgeon, Toronto
• Cecilia Cheng, medical director, Smile China
• Dr. Lawrence Marentette, professor of facial Plastic surgery, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Dr. Kal Ansari, assistant professor facial plastic surgery,Edmonton
• Dr. Lv Jinling, director plastic surgery, Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai
• Dr. Lu Shouchang, director oral maxillofacial surgery, Lanzhou People’s Hospital, Gansu
• Dr. Li Qingfung, Director of Plastic Surgery, Number 9 Hospital, Shanghai
• Dr. Li Dong, Director of Plastic Surgery, Guangxi Medical University

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.

The team has landed home safely on April 27.

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.

With warmest regards,

Joseph K. Wong, M.D.,F.R.C.S.(C).
Founder, Smile China

SMILE CHINA MISSION 2007 TEAM LIST

North American teammates:

• Dr. Joseph Ka-Hoi Wong, team leader (Facial plastic surgeon, Toronto)
• Dr. Wayne Fox Larrabee Jr. (Professor, Univ. of Washington, Seattle)
• Dr. Jonathan Mark Sykes (Professor, Univ. of California, Sacramento)
• Dr. Travis Tate Tollefson (A. Professor, Univ. of California, Sacramento)
• Dr. Oren Friedman (A. Professor, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota)
• Dr. Jitendra Ignatius Athayde (Anesthetist, Mississauga)
• Dr. Camila Vaz (Pediatrician, Mississauga)
• Dr. Trudy Gaye Quan (Dental Surgeon, Toronto)
• Dr. Amir Ali Rafii (Surgeon, Seattle)
• Dr. Abraham James Sorom (Resident surgeon, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota)
• Dr. Lucy Barr (Resident Surgeon, Univ. of Utah)
• Ms. Cecilia Sui-Hung Cheng (Medical director of Smile China, OR nurse, Mississauga)
• Ms. Anka Czipf (OR nurse, Mississauga)
• Ms. Margaret Matkowsky (OR nurse, Mississauga)
• Ms. Kendi Locknane (OR nurse, Seattle)
• Ms. May Pui-Man Siu (nurse, China coordinator of Smile China)
• Mr. Arthur Hideki Uyeyama (video photographer, Mississauga)
• Mr. Stephen Charles Duffy (CEO, American Academy Facial Plastic Surgery)
• Mr. Sherman Jing Xu (volunteer, Mandarin Charitable Foundation, Toronto)
• Mr. Jeffery Haichen Wu (volunteer, Mandarin Charitable Foundation, Toronto)
• Mr. Benny Clark (Smile China Gala volunteer coordinator, Toronto)

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.

The team leaders were Dr. Mu and Dr. Min Wei

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:

Dr. Joseph K. Wong	Founder, Smile China Facial Plastic Surgeon, Toronto
Ms. Cecilia Cheng	Medical Director, Smile China Operating Room Nurse, Mississauga
Dr. Wayne Larrabee Jr.	Professor, University of Washington President, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Jonathan Sykes	Professor, University of California – Davis
Dr. Travis Tollefson	Assistant Professor , University of California – Davis
Dr. Shepherd Pryor	Fellow, University of California – Davis
Ms. Clareann Pryor	Speech pathologist, University of California – Davis
Dr. Oren Friedman	Professor, Mayo Clinic
Dr. Daniel Price	Mayo Clinic
Dr.Paul Zievers	Anesthetist, University of Washington, Seattle
Dr. Gaye Quan	Dental Surgeon, Toronto
Ms Barbara Mitchell	Operating Room Nurse, Mississauga
Ms Carol Lake	Operating Room Nurse, Mississauga
Ms Brenda Barnes	Operating Room Nurse, Mississauga
Ms May Siu	Nurse, Smile China Representative, Shanghai
Mr. Arthur Uyeyama	Videographer-Photographer, Mississauga

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:

Title Sponsor - Mandarin Restaurant


Platinum Sponsor - Tour East Holidays


Gold Sponsor - Astra Zeneca


Gold Sponsor - Dundee Wealth Management


Gold Sponsor - Dr. Joseph K. Wong Medicine Practice Incorporated

Silver Sponsor - Lee Li Holdings


Special Friend of Smile China Sponsor - Mr. Michael Lo , with a $30,000 donation.

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

A generous donation from Mark Chi Hing Tong's president, Mr. Jimmy Mai

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.

Please click here for more news about our 2005 Mission.

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:

In chronological order :

• The Mandarin Restaurant 6^th Annual Charity Invitational Golf Tournament - July 2005
• The Hazel McCallion Charity Golf Tournament - September 2005
• The Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals & Businesses" Phoenix Ball" - Oct. 2005
• The Asian Business Networking "Chinese Canadians Legends Dinner Gala: - Oct 2005

Coming next year:

• The Mississauga Convention Centre Foundation "Rainbow Ball" - May 2006

We also wish to acknowledge the following groups for their generosity in 2005:

In alphabetical order:

• Astra Zeneca Canada Inc.
• BMO Harris Private Banking
• Families With Children from China Charitable Fund
• Health Partners International
• Legend Chinese Restaurant
• Mississauga News Christmas Fund
• Prince Japanese Steakhouse
• Royal Canadian Mint - Asian Business Centre

NEWS UPDATE OCTOBER 27, 2005

News Release from Premier's Office
PDF Format (open in new window)

Letter from the Premier of Ontario, Premier McGuinty
(open in new window)

Letter from Dr. Lu
English version | Chinese version (open in new window)

NEWS UPDATE APRIL 12, 2005

We are happy to welcome Chan Hon Goh, the Principal Dancer of the National Ballet of Canada and International Guest Artist as our Smile Ambassador and Honorary Spokesperson for Smile China. Chan will be assisting us in spreading the word about Smile China.

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!

This year's team leaders of our Smile China volunteers are as follows:

Fundraising & Sponsorship	Susan Jackman
Medical Director	Cecilia Cheng
Publicity	Kathy Lin Kitty Yeung
Resources & Information	Matthew Lam
Volunteers	Helen Lu

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

July 23rd, 7:00 pm	Chinese Opera Sponsored by Legend Restaurant
	Mississauga Chinese Arts Festival at the Living Arts Centre Hosted by The Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses

For information contact the CPB office (905) 828-6800.

Please read about our Mission.