Contact: Alexis Thomas
alexis.m.thomas@gmail.com
NEW YORK, NY, May 2, 2018 – myFace, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with craniofacial conditions, is pleased to announce that Jacob Tremblay will be this year’s recipient of the Ramey-Ross award for his role in the film WONDER and the awareness it has brought to the children and adults that the organization helps. myFace will also be honoring Barbara Marcus, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books, representing the company that published the book responsible for starting a movement of passion and acceptance.
The 2018 annual myFace gala will be held May 15 at the Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers in New York City, from 6:00pm-10:00pm.
WONDER has brought national attention to what life is like for children living with a congenital facial anomaly. The book, published in 2012, has topped the New York Times best-seller list and last year, was adapted into an incredibly popular film starring Tremblay. The main character, August Pullman, was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare but real genetic condition that causes multiple anomalies such as absent cheekbones and ears, diminutive jaw, near deafness and the need for a tracheostomy. my- Face organization helps the real-life Auggies of the world.
The gala is sure to be a magical night celebrating children like Auggie, the role Tremblay played so perfectly. 2016’s recipient of the award, WONDER author R.J. Palacio, will be at the gala to honor both Tremblay and Marcus. Tremblay will also be meeting with myFace patients at a special event the day before the gala, giving them the chance to thank him for capturing their experience so poignantly.
“At myFace, we call the impact that WONDER has had on the patients that we help ‘The Wonder Effect,’” said Priscilla Ma, Executive Director, myFace. “The film tells one story of a boy named Auggie with a craniofacial difference, but his story is so universal that everyone is able to connect with him. We are so grateful for the awareness it has brought our organization and how it has enabled myFace to help so many children learn about empathy and kindness.”
Jacob Tremblay is a Canadian actor whose breakout performance in ROOM received him multiple awards and critical acclaim. He has since gone on to star opposite Hollywood elite stars such as Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Naomi Watts, Olivia Munn and Owen Wilson. He will next be seen in THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JOHN F. DONOVAN and THE PREDATOR.
Barbara Marcus is President & Publisher of Random House Children’s Books, the world’s largest children’s trade book publisher. Previously, Barbara was Strategic Innovations Advisor to Penguin Books USA, and prior to that, President of Scholastic Children’s Book Publishing & Distribution, where she led the publishing effort for six of the seven Harry Potter titles, among other revenue-building ventures. Ms. Marcus serves on boards including for First Book, Graham Windham, the Women’s Forum of New York, and the Executive Publishing Committee of UJA.
The Ramey-Ross award is an honor that myFace bestows on an individual who has made a remarkable contribution to the craniofacial community. In 2015, myFace received bequests from two incredibly generous women who understood the importance of providing care to children with craniofacial conditions. Mary Ross and Carrie Ramey wanted to ensure that all children in the New York metropolitan area received access to state of the art, multidisciplinary care and chose myFace as their vehicle to make sure that this would happen. The myFace Board of Trustees decided to create this award in memory of these wonderful donors.
About myFace
myFace is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with craniofacial conditions. Every hour a child is born in the United States with a craniofacial condition, which uniquely impacts both the body and spirit. In the U.S. approximately 600,000 individuals have been diagnosed with a craniofacial condition.
For over 65 years, myFace has worked with these children and their families to provide comprehensive care by funding medical, surgical, dental, speech and psychosocial services as well as research and public awareness. myFace provides a holistic approach through access to a highly personalized team at the world-renowned myFace Center at NYU Langone Health in New York City. All myFace patients receive the highest level of care, regardless of the type or severity of the anomaly, the length of treatment, or the family’s financial situation.
Without our support, having a facial difference can impede the basic functions a child needs to survive and grow, and those affected often experience social isolation or even bullying. In this past fiscal year, myFace supported and facilitated approximately 6,000 patient consultations and procedures.
