Dear FFC Supporters and Friends:
I am writing to you as the President of the Foundation for Faces of Children (FFC) asking for your support for our 2023 Annual Appeal campaign. My journey to FFC began almost 42 years ago when our son, Brendan, was born with a bi-lateral cleft lip and palate. At the time, Dee and I resided in Ft. Worth, Texas where virtually no doctor or medical help for his condition was available. Fortunately, a cousin in the Boston area told us about a doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) specializing in craniofacial conditions. We headed there immediately with our six-week-old son where we met the wonderful and talented John B. Mulliken, MD. Brendan underwent some 13 surgeries over the next twenty years. Through the care of Dr. Mulliken and others at BCH, Brendan has grown into a well-balanced, confident, and successful young man, now living in London.
The Foundation was founded 37 years ago by Dr. Mulliken and parents of four of his patients. Serving on the Board for 15 years, I have witnessed the fine work of FFC and its supportive impact on thousands of children with craniofacial conditions. The programs offered by the Foundation are priceless gifts to our children and their families. But this can happen only though the generous support from all of you. FFC’s mission is to support the social, psychological, emotional, and educational needs of individuals affected by craniofacial differences, and their families. Programming has evolved from a few events and informational brochures to virtual sessions, reaching an extended audience throughout the New England area and international locations. Our annual Walk, Paces for Faces, now conducted in a hybrid format, has attracted as many as 500 participants, and has received media coverage in the local Boston area. Some of our other 2023 planned activities and programs include:
Young Adult Virtual Meet Up: Join us via Zoom at 7 pm on the second Wednesday of each month. Open to young adults 18 and over with a craniofacial condition, this relaxed virtual meet up offers an opportunity to meet new people, ask questions or just listen — whatever works for you!
Virtual Parent Support Groups: Our virtual parent support group meets via Zoom at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Connect with other parents and bring questions regarding your child’s diagnosis, school issues and newborn care. Share your concerns and emotional challenges as we discuss wide-ranging parenting issues. Parents of ALL craniofacial conditions across ALL ages are welcome.
FFC Cares Grant: Children with craniofacial anomalies often require many medical appointments and hospitalizations. FFC Cares is a program to defray travel and associated expenses for families seeking care in any of the 11 American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) approved care centers in New England.
Annual Scholarship Awards: Each year since 1999, exceptional young adults in New England who were born with facial differences are recognized by FFC for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities. The Foundation grants scholarships honoring four of our founders to assist recipients in attending their post-secondary institution of choice. To date we have awarded 87 scholarships totaling $250,000.
The following quote from Carolyn Bradley attending Providence College, illustrates the influence these awards have on their lives.
“Receiving the Barbara Seltzer Scholarship award has made me understand that the hardships I endured as a child were well worth it. College graduation was a positive outcome to a difficult childhood. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities and values that the Foundation for Faces of Children has been gracious enough to offer me.”
Retreat Sponsorship: FFC sponsors New England families at the Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA) Annual Family Retreat and Educational Symposium. Held in a different city each year, the CCA provides individuals affected by a facial difference, their siblings, and parents an opportunity to interact with others who have similar experiences. Families share ideas, problems, and solutions and make life-long friendships.
Camp Reflections Sponsorship: Located in New Hampshire, Camp Reflections is open to children with facial differences aged 8-16 and their siblings. FFC grants multiple scholarships annually to participants in this unique week-long summer camp.
Social Events: FFC provides a variety of opportunities for individuals with craniofacial conditions and their families to meet and connect with other families. These programs include sports events, art workshops, bowling, the Making Faces workshop, movie screenings and FFC’s annual Paces for Faces walk.
Educational Seminars and Workshops: FFC provides educational and informational seminars/webinars for families on various topics including speech and language, dental treatment and timing, insurance obstacles, and psychological support and coping skills for children with facial differences. Some of these programs are available on FFC’s website.
Without your continuing financial support, these programs would not be possible. I ask you to consider the future needs of the Foundation and the support it provides to children with craniofacial differences and their families. Any gift, no matter the size, is valued and appreciated. You may also donate online at facesofchildren.org/how-to-help. Gifts in honor of someone, estate bequests or endowments can be accommodated as you desire. All contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible.
Please note that we are always looking for new ideas and experiences so we may continue to make each year better than the one before. If you are interested in becoming more engaged or serving on the Board, please contact Ann-Marie Rogers, Vice President, at brammiki36@gmail.com.
John M. ( Jack) Condon
President and Board Member, Foundation for Faces of Children
