After years of surgical and orthodontic care at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Dean Smith and Orlando Molinares felt the need to "give back" to children who will follow in their footsteps. They knew what it felt like to look a little different. They realized that they had the answers to questions that only someone who has gone through treatment can answer.

At the same time, Margy Maroutsis, Administrator of the Institute's Dental Service was formulating a plan to start a buddy program. The aim was to match young patients born with cleft and craniofacial anomalies with teens who had already gone through many years of surgical and orthodontic treatment.

This interaction would provide our young boys and girls with an opportunity to learn what to expect, how to handle uncomfortable situations, or just to chat with someone who truly understands what they are experiencing.

An initial meeting was arranged and the goals of starting such a program were explored. It was agreed that each young sponsor would be responsible for holding a fundraiser. The monies raised would be used to financially support the efforts of the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction. Dean and Orlando wrote letters to their neighbors, families and friends describing their experiences of living with a facial deformity. They outlined how a small contribution would help transform the lives of children born with such malformations. Together Dean and Orlando raised $5,500 for the NFFR.

We are still in the planning stage of the Program and look forward to pairing our young children with a Big Buddy. If you are interested in becoming a Big Buddy to a younger boy or girl, please email Margy Maroutsis at margy.maroutsis@med.nyu.edu or Michele Golombuski at michele@nffr.org.