This July, treatment specialists, support organizations, advocacy groups, and affected individuals and families are joining forces to encourage awareness and prevention of cleft and craniofacial conditions for National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month.
The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and the Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) will work together to promote awareness throughout July, and we need your help to spread the word as much as possible. Here are some ways you can join us in promoting awareness:
- Social Media:
- Email membership@acpa-cpf.org with “Your Cleft Story”, and we will share them on the ACPA blog in July and throughout the year.
- CPF will be sharing pictures and stories from patients and families with the social media world. Please spread the word with your patients – they can send a picture and brief caption or context to intern@acpa-cpf.org/acpa-family-services. For more information, visit the CPF Facebook page.
- Follow CPF (Facebook, Twitter) and ACPA (Facebook, Twitter) and share our posts.
- Make a donation or hold a local fundraising activity to benefit CPF. In the past we’ve received generous contributions from golf tournaments, dance contests, bake sales, birthday parties, lemonade stands… and the list goes on. We can help make your idea for a fundraiser happen. Email info@acpa-cpf.org/acpa-family-services for fundraising assistance.
- Make Cleftline brochures available in your office. Email admin@acpa-cpf.org/acpa-family-services for information.
- Local:
- Request official acknowledgement of the awareness month from your local government. Here’s a sample proclamation from the Mayor of Chapel Hill, North Carolina declaring July as Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month in the Town of Chapel Hill.
- Ask your local newspaper to write an article highlighting people with facial difference. We’re happy to be a resource for any media referrals.
- Write to your state and federal representatives to advocate for cleft palate/craniofacial patients and insurance legislation to cover treatment costs. CPF can provide information packets to heighten their awareness of facial birth defects and insurance concerns.
Visit the National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month (NCCAPM) website to learn about member organizations and download graphics for your own use.
Stay tuned to our social media outlets for updates from ACPA and CPF and to hear what others are doing nationwide. Please tell us about your activities too so we can feature you online and let us know if you have any questions – membership@acpa-cpf.org. We can’t wait to hear how you’re building awareness this month.