Help FACES:The National Craniofacial Association

FACES:The National Craniofacial Association

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Cause Description:
FACES: The National Craniofacial Association is a non-profit organization serving children and adults throughout the United States with severe craniofacial deformities resulting from birth defects, injuries, or disease. There is never a charge for any service provided by FACES. Our service goals address three distinct areas: o Client Travel o Public Awareness and Understanding o Information and Support Client Travel FACES provides financial assistance for expenses incurred while traveling away from home to a craniofacial center for reconstructive surgery and/or evaluation. This assistance is offered on the basis of financial and medical need and includes transportation, lodging, and food. Insurance and government medical assistance programs help to pay for surgeries but rarely pay for travel expenses. FACES does not choose the physicians or medical centers for the clients; that choice is made entirely by the family. Once a client is approved by FACES, every attempt is made to continue aid for as long as it is needed. FACES also pays for one accompanying person for each trip. Public Awareness and Understanding Increasing public awareness and understanding of our work and the plight of those with severe craniofacial problems is the key to the future of FACES and our clients. In addition to a quarterly newsletter which over 50,000 copies are mailed to client families, supporters, professional groups, and the medical community, FACES has an ever-growing national speaker bureau of clients, client's families, and volunteers who speak to groups about the challenges and needs of those with craniofacial differences. Information and Support Network FACES furnishes information about craniofacial centers and publishes a brochure which further details the scope of our organization. FACES provides referrals to other available resources and organizations, maintains up-to-date information on specific diseases or birth defects, and assists in getting families in touch with other families who have a child with the same disorder. By connecting these families, FACES gives them the means to alleviate the emotional isolation that is often felt by patient and family. By sharing information and providing support, FACES helps to build a framework in which clients and their families can cope.

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