Patients with facial differences and their families got a chance to spend time together recently as they ran and walked in an annual race, shook their pom-poms to amplify school spirit and saw one boy’s dream come true as he took to the skies in a helicopter. It was all part of several events during the past weeks designed to raise awareness, funds and spirits around craniofacial anomalies.
A magical moment
Working with members of UNC Adams School of Dentistry’s Craniofacial Center, ASOD student coordinators and the Magical Moments Foundation, a wish granting organization for children with facial differences, 6-year-old Nolan was able to realize a dream of becoming a fighter pilot.
ASOD student Catherine Bingham, D3, helped coordinate the special day for Nolan, along with his family. Bingham has been involved with Magical Moments for two years, and she said she enjoys coming up with ideas to surprise these special patients.
Nolan gets his wish
Six-year-old Nolan takes a ride in a helicopter as part of his “Magical Moment”
“Planning [Nolan’s] magical moment was so meaningful for me. It was a lot of work, but it was so worth it! My favorite part of the [5K] event is definitely surprising one of our UNC Craniofacial Center patients with their lifelong wish at the race, a tradition I was able to start at last year’s event! Last year, we provided an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to see Broadway shows for a patient whose dream is to become a famous actor.”
Nolan was treated to a meet and greet with Carolina Air Care and Total Flight Solutions, and ASOD dental students Alex Bowman, D3, and Yohan Bae, D1, helped make it special, having served as fighter pilots. The outreach meant a lot to Nolan’s mom, Katie Krist, who said their family has faced a lot of challenges with Nolan’s facial differences, but they can always count on the ASOD craniofacial team to provide excellent care.
5K supports patients, families
Nolan got his special surprise as part of the annual Cleft Palate Gallop 5K. The annual event has raised around $30,000 for ASOD’s Craniofacial Center, which provides comprehensive care for children born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences. Bingham has helped coordinate the race for the past two years.
“The staff within UNC’s craniofacial center are unique; they don’t just care for your child, they legitimately love your baby as if he or she was their own. When we landed in the U.S. after bringing Nolan home from China, I will never forget our homeland security officer looking Nolan in the eyes and saying ‘you just won the lottery, kid.’ I was taken aback. While I understand the foundation of his comment was that of genuine celebration, every adoptive mom fiber of my being wanted to say ‘no sir, we won the lottery.’ But now reflecting over Nolan’s medical journey, I can’t help but to agree with Mr. Security man – in regards to Nolan’s medical team at UNC, yes sir, you are right. He DID WIN THE LOTTERY!”
“Working on events like this reinforces my commitment to becoming a craniofacial orthodontist, Bingham said. “They highlight the critical needs within the craniofacial community and inspire me to work even harder toward my career goals, so I can one day make a meaningful difference in the field.”
Funds raised through race sponsorships are dedicated to covering essential medical and dental procedures that some patients may otherwise struggle to afford. They also help provide resources such as nutritional snacks, educational materials, baby bottles, and prosthetic devices, addressing a range of needs that can significantly impact patients.
“The most important thing I’ve learned while helping with this event is how incredibly supportive and generous our community is. During the past two years, with the help of local businesses and community members, we’ve raised nearly $30,000 for the UNC Craniofacial Center. While us dental students organize the event, it is truly the community that drives its success and allows us to change lives for the better,” Bingham said.
Spreading cheer
As part of a weekend Carolina football game, patients from the ASOD Craniofacial Center got a special shout-out as they participated in Carolina Cheer Day, a day devoted to youth cheerleading. The day is an annual event where patients get to spend time with Carolina cheerleaders, learn some cheers and take the field to help lead the crowd in showing their school spirit.
Coordinated by patient and staff volunteers, Cheer Day is an opportunity for children and their families to foster a sense of community, as they create friendships and are surrounded by peers that understand their lived experiences. Kids see others who are “just like them,” while getting to do a fun activity like any other child. It’s also a day for parents to get together and share their journeys and support one another.
In addition to student and staff volunteers helping during the day, Carolina cheerleaders held a Q&A session with the participants, and the ASOD group even had its very own cheer ambassadors, Seaforth Cheer & Dance, who served as “Cheer Team Buddies” during the day.
