Rotary Rotoplast donation

Arcadia Rotary Club members had an opportunity during the group’s weekly lunch program to hear many heartwarming stories of how the Rotoplast program is providing medical treatment for children with cleft lip and palate who would otherwise not receive needed constructive surgery or procedures beyond the scope of local physicians.

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by Anne Donofrio-Holter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Rotaplast International, Inc., derived from the words Rotary and plastic surgery, “was founded in 1992 by Dr. Angelo Capozzi and then Rotary Club President Peter Lagarias in collaboration with the Rotary Club of San Francisco to facilitate a surgical program in La Serena, Chile to treat children with the cleft lip and palate anomaly who would otherwise not receive surgical intervention.”

“This is accomplished by 400 volunteers, 20-plus board members and six paid staff,” said speaker, and Pico Rivera Rotarian, Dr. Rose Marie Joyce. “A mission is announced and any organization may agree to sponsor 100% of the mission, or share the cost, ranging from $75,000 to $100,000 depending on destination, between two or more organizations. Each mission, about 15 per year, provides surgery for approximately 100 children.” To date, more than 13,000 surgeries have been performed in countries around the world including Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Togo, El Salvador, Peru, Columbia and Brazil at no cost to the child’s family. “Cleft lip and palate is a birth defect that poses serious consequences,” explained Joyce. “If not treated, many children could suffer from malnutrition due to an inability to properly swallow food or from speech impediments than can impair their level of education and social development.” “Dr. Joyce’s Rotoplast presentation was a great reminder to me that being a member of Rotary International means we contribute to real change in the lives of people both in our local neighborhood and in the neighborhoods of countries far away,” said Rosie Mares. “This was a very moving and poignant program that opened my eyes to the possibilities of Rotarians being able to help people in any part of the world,” said Waleed Delawari. “It all begins with an idea. And with our own commitment, drive and execution, we can make it happen.” “I was so very moved years ago at a Rotary district assembly when I first viewed the Rotoplast video,” said Eric Barter, Arcadia Rotary Club president. “Hundreds of kids undergoing a surgical procedure that would turn each and every one of their lives around in just a day! This program typifies what Rotary is all about.” At the conclusion of the program, Barter presented Joyce with a $1,000 donation to the program on behalf of the club. For additional information, visit www.rotaplast.org. The Arcadia Rotary Club meets every Friday from noon to 1:30 pm at the Embassy Suites Hotel located at 211 E Huntington Drive in Arcadia. For additional information, go to www.arcadiarotary.org.