Dear reader,
I’m thrilled to share with you our March issue of Your Impact!
Through the inspiring stories of our myFace Stars, Lily, Lizzie, Rositza and Sophia, I’m proud to demonstrate how your generous support is impacting the lives of these courageous and resilient women. I’m also excited to show you how two important programs, the myFace Wonder Project and Transforming Lives Webinar Series, are educating individuals across the country in different ways about craniofacial differences.
The secret sauce of our work is that moment when an individual or family coping with a facial difference realizes that they are not alone and that myFace is here for them. You make that moment possible, and for that I am deeply grateful.
Stephanie Paul
Executive Director, myFace
MYFACE STAR, LILY,
Pursues Her Passion and Dream While Always Giving Back
“myFace has provided me an incredible opportunity to get involved, make a positive impact, and give back to the craniofacial community that is so near and dear to my heart.”
– Lily
Meet this very special and talented high school senior
“THE MYFACE APARTMENT
Has Become Our Home Away From Home.”
Rositza and her daughter, Sophia, have been coming to NYC from their home in Texas for Sophia’s treatment for the past several years. For them, the myFace apartment has truly been their home away from home.
“We will always be immensely grateful to everyone at myFace for their unconditional support and for making surgeries in NYC a possibility.”
– Rositza and Sophia
MEET LIZZIE:
myFace Star, high-school junior, award-winning photographer with an important message of resilience and hope
Lizzie was born with grade 3 microtia and aural atresia, and underwent multiple surgeries up through her teenage years. Like many craniofacial patients, she’s also had to deal with the psychological effects of looking and sounding different.
Get to know Lizzie and her photography
FREE WEBINARS AVAILABLE TO ALL
Addressing the Needs of the Craniofacial Community
As part of the myFace Transforming Lives Webinar Series, on March 11th, we presented a new topic directed to expectant parents: The Impact of Prenatal Diagnostics On Postnatal Care. This webinar provided an expert perspective on why prenatal counseling is critical to positive outcomes and how to optimize the birth experience. Click here to learn more!
ASK THE EXPERT:
Thomas A Imahiyerobo, MD, FAAP, FACS
Director, Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, NYC
Expert cleft and craniofacial surgeon, Dr. Thomas Imahiyerobo, sat down with us to answer some important questions on what an expectant parent can learn through prenatal counseling if they are expecting a child with a cleft lip and/or palate.
The myFace Wonder Project Gains Momentum:
10,000 Students Reached
The myFace Wonder Project re-launched in February and gained quick momentum and rapid recognition as schools all over the country have registered. The ripple effect has been far reaching and the praise for the program demonstrates the impact it is already making:
“You managed to get the children thinking and talking in a deeper and much more meaningful way than was possible after only having read Wonder. We had to cancel our next class – the kids were so engaged! ”
MYFACE VIRTUAL CRANIOFACIAL SUPPORT GROUPS
Ensure that individuals and family members have a place to turn
Our myFace Parent, Adult, and Adolescent Support Groups are a cornerstone of the help myFace offers to the craniofacial community. They provide individuals an environment where they can feel safe, hopeful and empowered…and, most important, never alone.
“Thank you Dina, I always tend to think that I am the only one who has problems, but these moms remind me that I am not alone. Thank you for creating the bridge so we can share our issues and find comfort at the same time.”
– Diego’s mom
Two Tax-Savvy Ways to Make a Difference
Tax season is here! As many of you are organizing your finances before the tax deadline, you may be surprised to learn about two simple ways to save on taxes while also making a difference in the lives of children and adults with craniofacial differences and their families.
By giving directly from your IRA, you can reduce your future tax burden and meet your required minimum distribution (RMD) for 2021. And, if you have appreciated assets, you can avoid the capital gains tax by donating your stock directly to myFace!
