Children given free operations to correct cleft lips, palates

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Children given free operations to correct cleft lips, palates

THE NATION ON SUNDAY December 25, 2011 
 
To bring smiles back to the faces of children with cleft lips and palates, 100 surgeries were performed on such children free of charge in Tak's Mae Sot district recently.
Representatives of the XanGo brand of mangosteen juice accompanied Operation Smile Foundation (Thailand) staff to the district in support of medical volunteers who performed 100 cleft-lip and cleft-palate corrective surgeries on the children.

The young patients were the children of farmers who grow mangosteen, the source of XanGo's success, the firm said. Its "season of smiles" will conclude with a July mission to Ulan Ude, Russia - a country in which the company started doing business last year - to perform 50 more surgeries.

XanGo founder and board chairman Aaron Garrity said the firm had supported Operation Smile for several years.

"We've grown our philanthropic partnerships alongside the global expansion of our business. Just last week, the company received recognition from Utah Governor Gary Herbert for continued support of Operation Smile. The success of the XanGo missions with Operation Smile is truly a testament to our distributors, whose efforts to build their independent businesses make it all possible."

The medical volunteers were from Chulalongkorn Hospital, Lerd Sin Hospital, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, International Eye Centre or Buddhist Temple, Chon Buri Hospital, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Children Hospital, Police Hospital, Charoenkrung Hospital and Nakhon Pathom Hospitalwho make these patients see that this world is still the better place to live. One of their smiles, bringing a happy smiling family, and with many smiles from the surrounding people.

"With their unceasing energy and enthusiasm for doing good, the XanGo community shares with Operation Smile a common commitment to the children of the world," said Operation Smile Co-Founder Bill Magee. "Operation Smile is honoured to be a part the XanGo family and truly grateful that this shared passion continues to grow and change the lives of children and their families across the globe."

XanGo routinely provides monetary donations, advisory board participation, volunteer programmes and partnerships in medical expeditions, community education and humanitarian efforts. Of particular interest is improving the lives of children around the world and mobilising to address disasters and crises.