Since its inception, the Australian Craniofacial Unit has dealt with many types of craniofacial deformities and injuries including cleft palettes and lips, large tumours and cancerous growths, burns and facial injuries due to road accidents.

Mariam is a bright little 5yr old with a rare condition called "Treacher Collins Syndrome." When Mariam was born her face was smaller than usual, her under-developed cheek bones were crumpled and her eyes were sloping downwards. Mariam can not breathe by herself and has a tracheostomy tube. She has already endured many painful operations but her future looks bright. She will eventually be able to breathe on her own and her appearance will improve although she will continue to need treatment and care into adulthood.

Your donations can help many more children like Mariam so they may also have a bright future full of self-confidence and dignity.

How will the funds be used?

Whilst the operations are generally covered by Medicare, many items of medical equipment needed for treatment of the patients with craniofacial deformities are not. For example - technology developed by scientists of the Australian Craniofacial Unit, enable an exact full-sized 3D replica of a patient's skull to be produced from a scan.

These nylon models are beneficial in pre-operative planning – The craniofacial surgeon and other team members can study the precise deformity, size and shape of the patient's skull before the operation without having the patient present. Prostheses can be manufactured before the actual surgery and fitted on the nylon model to ensure a proper fit. The duration of the surgery is often reduced, resulting in savings for the health care system.

Funds are also used for:

• research into the causes and prevention of facial deformities and injuries of persons within Australia and overseas.
• to support the development of new techniques and treatment of facial deformities and injuries of persons within Australia and overseas.
• to grant financial assistance to the guardians and families of persons with facial deformities and injuries, the Institute of Craniofacial Studies Inc and other organisations that have similar purposes to facilitate the above objectives.

• Craniofacial surgical patients – medical equipment to assist in planning operations and treatments.
• Research into the causes and prevention of facial deformities and injuries
• Development of techniques and treatment to correct facial deformities and injuries
• Grants for financial assistance to the guardians and families of persons with facial deformities and injuries, the Institute of Craniofacial Studies, and other organisations that have similar purposes to facilitate the above objectives.

	There are many ways to donate - select your donation method below Donate Online Help to support your community by donating to a community group through our secure online donations service. Donating online ensures 100% of your donation reaches the group of your choice (less 1.2% credit card fee for Visa and Mastercard / less 1.3% card fee for Amex). Our Community takes no commission or fee for this service.        Donate by Phone Call 08 8267 4128 and have your credit card details on hand to donate over the phone. Donate by Fax Download printable donation form and fax to: 08 8267 5154 Donate by Mail Download a printable donation form to send through the post to: Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation PO Box 1138 NORTH ADELAIDE SA 5006 Leave a Bequest Leave a Bequest to Australian Craniofacial Foundation in your will. Click here for further information.

Contact details for this appeal:
Mr Bob Snewin
Fund Devt Manager
Telephone: 08 8267 4128
Email: bsnewin@icfs.com.au
Website: www.craniofacial.com.au/home/index.mhtml

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