World Cleft Awareness Day
Smile Train, one of the world’s largest cleft-focused organizations, has launched World Cleft Awareness Day, the first globally recognized day dedicated to raising awareness about cleft lips and palates.
The inaugural observance took place on Sunday, July 20, 2025, coinciding with National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month.
World Cleft Awareness Day highlights the full journey of cleft care from diagnosis at or before birth, through surgeries, speech therapy, orthodontics, dental care, emotional support, and beyond.
The aim is to increase understanding, reduce stigma, promote inclusion, and amplify the voices of millions affected by clefts worldwide.
“World Cleft Awareness Day is about more than raising awareness—it’s about celebrating the strength and resilience of the global cleft community,” said Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train.
“By founding and leading this observance, Smile Train is creating a space where cleft-affected individuals and their families can be seen, heard, and supported.”
Globally, approximately 1 in 700 babies is born with a cleft lip and/or palate.
While clefts are common and treatable, many lack access to the comprehensive, long-term care needed from surgery to emotional and social support.
“People often think of clefts as a single surgery, when in reality, the journey can last decades,” said Iva Ballou, Manager of Community Development at Smile Train.
“Being cleft-affected myself, I’ve undergone numerous surgeries related to my condition. World Cleft Awareness Day is an opportunity to educate the public and advocate for equal access to care for everyone, everywhere.”
To mark the day, Smile Train launched a global awareness campaign featuring powerful stories, media outreach, social media activations, and calls for individuals, communities, and organizations to participate.
The organization also provided a free World Cleft Awareness Day toolkit with logos, messaging, and social media assets to support partners and supporters in spreading the message.
While Smile Train leads the initiative, World Cleft Awareness Day serves as a shared platform welcoming involvement from medical professionals, nonprofits, corporate partners, influencers, and most importantly, patients and their families.
“Our vision is for World Cleft Awareness Day to grow into a widely observed annual event that inspires action, kindness, and connection around the globe,” said Troy Reinhart, Smile Train’s Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Ambassador Development.
“Together, we can break down barriers and build a future where no one is held back because of a cleft.”
To learn more about World Cleft Awareness Day, Smile Train’s programs, and the lives of children affected by clefts, visit cleftday.com.
About Smile Train:
Smile Train empowers local medical professionals by providing training, funding, and resources to offer free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children worldwide.
Operating in over 85 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, Smile Train promotes a sustainable, scalable global health model that drastically improves children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive.
The organization’s commitment to building local capacity ensures cleft care is accessible and tailored to the communities it serves.
