ABOUT US
CleftStrong is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established to promote a healthy understanding of cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial conditions, create events that foster hope, motivation, and connection for those whose lives are affected with these conditions, and raise money to advance patient care and research.
Clefts are one of the most common major congenital anomalies in the United States that set forth a great range of medical challenges from the moment children are born and often times well into adulthood. The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association states that 1 in 600 children are born with a cleft lip, with or without a cleft palate, in the United States each year. Throughout the developing years, children in the cleft and craniofacial community and their families have a need for a group of doctors and other medical professionals to provide care and a support system.
Currently, we offer a virtual annual 5k and kids fun run event, surgery care packages for patients and families at local craniofacial clinics, and life coaching services to empower children in honoring the unique gifts they bring to the world, building skills of resilience to manage fears and changes throughout the cleft medical journey and powerful tools for a variety of social challenges that are common amongst school age children today. The annual 5k and kids fun run event we hold in San Antonio, Texas and virtually across the world not only helps advance craniofacial patient care and research, but it reminds those in the community that they are not alone.
CleftStrong is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established to promote a healthy understanding of cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial conditions, create events that foster hope, motivation, and connection for those whose lives are affected with these conditions, and raise money to advance patient care and research.
Clefts are one of the most common major congenital anomalies in the United States that set forth a great range of medical challenges from the moment children are born and often times well into adulthood. The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association states that 1 in 600 children are born with a cleft lip, with or without a cleft palate, in the United States each year. Throughout the developing years, children in the cleft and craniofacial community and their families have a need for a group of doctors and other medical professionals to provide care and a support system.
Currently, we offer a virtual annual 5k and kids fun run event, surgery care packages for patients and families at local craniofacial clinics, and life coaching services to empower children in honoring the unique gifts they bring to the world, building skills of resilience to manage fears and changes throughout the cleft medical journey and powerful tools for a variety of social challenges that are common amongst school age children today. The annual 5k and kids fun run event we hold in San Antonio, Texas and virtually across the world not only helps advance craniofacial patient care and research, but it reminds those in the community that they are not alone.
HOW WE GOT STARTED
CleftStrong was founded in July of 2014 by Ray and Chelsea, a mom and dad whose son was born with a cleft lip. Shortly after he was born, with one major surgery and two months of planning behind them, they packed up their stroller, invited friends and family and headed to their local park. They wanted to do their small part in making sure that others on a similar journey would receive the support they received from the American Cleft Palate Association. "I remember completing our 20 week sonogram and knowing that this would not be just a quick surgery to close our little one's lip. I found ACPA (formerly known as the Cleft Palate Foundation) and found answers, comfort, and a growing confidence in our ability to be the best parents we could be alongside medical challenges that we had never experienced before", says Chelsea. “It was frightening to put my newborn’s life in the hands of others. Being properly informed of what to expect and the options we had as parents, made the difference. For the work they do to further research and support families, patients, and medical healthcare professionals, we are forever grateful." Click to view interview here.
In 2016, Founders began to form a group of leaders consisting of parents in the cleft community and others outside of the cleft community who work together to put the CleftStrong 5k and kids fun run charity event on each year. In July of 2018, CleftStrong became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. CleftStrong continually and actively seeks supporters and group leaders for its mission. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact us here.
CleftStrong was founded in July of 2014 by Ray and Chelsea, a mom and dad whose son was born with a cleft lip. Shortly after he was born, with one major surgery and two months of planning behind them, they packed up their stroller, invited friends and family and headed to their local park. They wanted to do their small part in making sure that others on a similar journey would receive the support they received from the American Cleft Palate Association. "I remember completing our 20 week sonogram and knowing that this would not be just a quick surgery to close our little one's lip. I found ACPA (formerly known as the Cleft Palate Foundation) and found answers, comfort, and a growing confidence in our ability to be the best parents we could be alongside medical challenges that we had never experienced before", says Chelsea. “It was frightening to put my newborn’s life in the hands of others. Being properly informed of what to expect and the options we had as parents, made the difference. For the work they do to further research and support families, patients, and medical healthcare professionals, we are forever grateful." Click to view interview here.
In 2016, Founders began to form a group of leaders consisting of parents in the cleft community and others outside of the cleft community who work together to put the CleftStrong 5k and kids fun run charity event on each year. In July of 2018, CleftStrong became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. CleftStrong continually and actively seeks supporters and group leaders for its mission. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact us here.