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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - The fifth outreach Smile week conducted by the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital (RCWMCH) took place at the George Hospital from Monday until Wednesday, 3 to 5 December.
Dr Saleigh Adams and two visiting surgeons from other regions of South Africa have assisted in the surgeries of 22 children as part of 2018 George Regional Hospital Smile Week, sponsored by the Clicks Helping Hand Trust.
One of the patients who was assisted was 12-year-old Bella, who was born with a giant cell nevus - a mass formed by the union of several cells - on the back of her neck and upper back. She has undergone 20 operations since she was three months old. This time, part of the mass will be removed and new skin tissue grafted over the excise site to improve the appearance of the area, which causes Bella significant emotional distress.
Watch a video below.
"This is such an inspirational story," says Moira Gerszt, Smile Foundation operations director. "I constantly marvel at the life-changing opportunities our work affords young people, but to see how Dr Adams and his team from the RCWMCH took this to heart and is now helping others, is just great. We are so grateful for the ongoing support and mentorship of Dr Adams, but also for his time and expertise in helping to change the lives of these children from George. None of it would be possible without the personal investment of each and every team member, as well as the funds so generously donated for the second year running by the Clicks Helping Hand Trust."
Michael Vonk, CEO at George hospital, says, "The Smile Foundation team always brings a wonderful energy to the hospital and as we head rapidly towards the festive season, it creates a tremendous feeling of goodwill amongst staff to participate in giving this most precious of gifts to our young patients. It takes a great team effort to coordinate the surgeries and I would like to thank all the staff at Smile Foundation, their sponsors, as well as the clinicians and George Hospital staff".
Robin (8) and his mom Tershia Louw from New Dawn Park after Robin's third and final operation to remove a growth on and in his mouth.
Olwethu Mati (16 months) and his mother Yoliswa from Thembalethu shortly after Olwethu had a cleft palate operation.
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