VMM Funds Life-Changing Surgery
Operation Smile recently performed life-changing surgery on 150 children with cleft lips at Vietnam Cuba Friendship Hospital. This was made possible in part thanks to funds raised via Vietnam Mountain Marathon.
Runners of Vietnam Mountain Marathon helped to contribute VND 500,000,000 to this mission – enough to cover the cost of 50 operations on children with cleft lip during the week of March 27.
Cleft lip is a birth defect that occurs when a baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly in the womb.
Patients with cleft lips may face a variety of challenges, including health complications such as difficulty eating and speaking, as well as social stigma and discrimination.
Alongside covering the costs of surgery, Vietnam Mountain Marathon funds are also used to support the costs of a family member staying at the hospital with the child.
“Topas Travel has provided great support to Operation Smile, raising awareness about cleft lips in the running community, providing practical assistance, and making a significant financial contribution. Thank you, VMM runners, for being an integral part of this mission!” – Quynh, Program Coordinator at Operation Smile shared.
This is the latest of many missions carried out by Operation Smile with funding from Vietnam Trail Series over the years. Alongside providing funding, members of the Topas team attended the hospital to help with the administrative paperwork for the families.
Thank you to Operation Smile for joining with us to make a difference and thank you to all the VMM runners for making it possible.