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Background
The Face to Face Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by Dr. Rick Kapitan in 2017, in Charlotte, NC. In short, the aim of the Foundation is to provide a pool of resources to help Charlotte area families to meet the many financial needs associated with treating children born with Cleft Lip & Palate. These resources are intended to be used for medically-necessary procedures and therapy for cleft lip & palate patients in order to assist in the development of the children throughout their childhood.
The Challenge
Cleft Lip & Palate is a birth condition that affects nearly 1 in 700 children born in the United States of America each year. The condition is caused from issues related to genetic changes that occur during development of the child early on in pregnancy. While the severity of the condition may vary, all children born with this condition are automatically faced with challenges ranging from feeding and speech to dental and facial development. They undergo a long series of treatments (both surgical and nonsurgical) from birth until adulthood, and the burden of the near constant need for medical care is great on these children and their families.
These treatments are recommended by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists who gather to evaluate and discuss the patient's individual needs prior to making their recommendations. While medical insurance often covers the majority of the costs associated with the initial surgeries that are needed, not all costs are covered, such as orthodontics, speech therapy, dentistry, and certain reconstructive surgeries. The total out-of-pocket cost of the care of a single child with this condition can total in excess of $50,000 USD, placing a very large financial burden on families.
The Goal
No family in our area should have to delay or forgo their child's medical and dental treatment for cleft lip & palate due to cost. We have the knowledge, the skills, and the patients in need right here in the Charlotte area. We now want to provide the resources, and truly "Close the Gap" by providing the funding needed to complete their care.