Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray visited La Union over the weekend to bring her mission with Smile Train to children in need of corrective surgery for their cleft lips and palates.
The fourth Filipina to be crowned as Miss Universe was in the Northern Luzon province as part of her continuing her mission as an advocate of children’s welfare, a charity she had been supporting even before she won the international pageant.
The Smile Train Global Ambassador attended the free cleft lip and palate screening and treatment on March 1, 2020, held as part of the 170th Founding Anniversary of the province of La Union.
Eighteen applicants for corrective surgery were screened and referred to Smile Train, a global non-government organization that offers free comprehensive cleft lip and palate care.
“I have really seen how life-changing something as simple cleft, lip, and palate surgery and treatment can really be in giving a child not only confidence but also in being able to integrate themselves into society in which if they didn’t have surgery they would have a harder time to do so,” Gray told the press in La Union.
Gray further stated that the cost for corrective surgery for cleft lip or palate would usually cost $250 or about Php 30,000. Smile Train provides surgeries at no cost to the children.
During her visit, Gray turned over a check amounting to Php100,000 to Smile Train Philippines.
Earlier in January on the occasion of her birthday, Catriona Gray launched a fundraiser for Smile Train to provide more funds for the charity.
The 2018 Miss Universe wrapped up her beauty pageant reign as ambassadress of the Miss Universe Organization’s charities in December 2019 but is still passionately pursuing her mission as an advocate for children’s welfare.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Catriona Gray and Smile Train who are giving the children of La Union,= more reasons to smile.
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