Cleft Palate Gallop 5K Raises Almost $8,000 to Benefit UNC Craniofacial Center

UNC School of Dentistry student organization Miles for Smiles sponsored its third annual Cleft Palate Gallop 5K on Sept. 25 – and raised $7,800 to benefit the UNC Craniofacial Center.

The 5K began at the Old Well on the UNC campus and ended at Bynum Circle, also on Cameron Avenue. Prizes were awarded to the top three male and female finishers, and additional raffle prizes were given away immediately following the race. A family fun walk of about 1.2 miles was also offered.

More than 400 people registered for the 2010 race.

Last year’s race drew 240 runners and raised almost $4,000 to benefit the center’s multidisciplinary and comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies. Faculty and staff members represent a wide range of fields, including audiology, dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, speech pathology, social work and other specialty areas.

“This annual event has become the main focus of the Miles for Smiles organization because we take great pride in UNC’s exceptional craniofacial center,” said Summer Caldwell, Miles for Smiles president and UNC dental student. “It warms our hearts to see members of the community, including some of our young patients and their families, come together to support such rewarding care for patients who cannot meet its considerable financial demands.”