Richard,

Dr. Flor de Maria Diaz Contreras was a dentist specializing in clefts at a children’s hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico, when Ana Sofia, an abandoned, underweight baby with a cleft, was brought to her office.

Like Ana Sofia, many babies with clefts struggle to eat and are sometimes even abandoned by their birth families.

Those who survive can struggle to stay healthy. As they get older, they often face bullying and stigma for how they look, how they talk, and who they are. But it can be different.

This Valentine’s Day, your love can change everything for a baby like Ana Sofia.

Tiny Ana Sofia needed 19 days in the hospital to reach a healthy weight, but Dr. Contreras only needed a few hours to fall in love with her. Two months later, this abandoned baby officially became her youngest child.

Suddenly, her dental practice for children with clefts felt deeply personal. Dr. Contreras now saw Ana Sofia in every patient.

And there were lots of patients – but also not nearly enough. So many children have clefts across the State of Oaxaca, and she knew so few of them were getting the treatment they needed.

Then Dr. Contreras discovered Smile Train. Ever since, she has been able to reach and serve more children with clefts – at no cost to their families.

Only love like yours can keep that good work going, creating lifelong, healthy smiles.

With appreciation,

P.S. A dollar-for-dollar match will DOUBLE your gift today! Every $1 you give becomes $2 to support free cleft treatment for a child in need.