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Miss Universe Organization, Smile Train charity end 9-year partnership
The Miss Universe Organization and global cleft charity Smile Train have ended their nine-year partnership.
On social media, Smile Train thanked the MUO for their charitable partnership for the past nine years, saying its support transformed the lives of countless children worldwide.
“Together, we’ve made an extraordinary impact, raising awareness about cleft lip and palate and ensuring that children everywhere receive the life-changing care they need,” Smile Train said.
Smile Train also thanked former Miss Universe queens, including Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray, and reigning titleholder Sheynnis Palacios, who became Smile Train ambassadors.
“From the beginning, we committed to being more than a photo-op for our Ambassadors; we aimed to empower titleholders through active engagement and our patients through their example,” the charity said.
According to Smile Train, the queens participated in panels at the United Nations General Assembly, thought leadership events, confidence camps for patients, hands-on hospital activities, and more.
MUO and Smile Train’s partnership was able to help more than 10,000 families.
“Together, we raised nearly $2 million through direct giving, auctions, events, and campaigns, supporting tens of thousands of life-changing surgeries and other vital cleft care treatments for those in need, plus essential training for local medical teams in 75+ countries.”
Smile Train ended its post by saying, “Thank you for your commitment to making a difference and for believing in the power of a smile! We wish you great success in your future endeavors.”
In the comments section, former MUO president Paula Shugart said that Smile Train is an “incredible organization and has changed the lives of so many people.”
“I will be forever grateful for the partnership we built together. The Smile Train trips were always a highlight for our titleholders,” she said.
Catriona also vowed that she will “always support the incredible, life changing work of @smiletrain.”
MUO and Smile Train started their charitable partnership in 2016 with an objective to help raise awareness of issues faced by children living with unrepaired clefts in the developing world.
— Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
