Casey & Sam's page
Casey & Sam Haverstick is raising money for Cleft
Participants: Casey Haverstick, Sam Haverstick
Story
Hi from London!
When we first arrived 8 months ago, Sam and I had recently completed the marathon and were hesitant to go for a 10 minute run, let alone sign up for another race. However, when our dear friends Jenny and Matt had us over for a welcome dinner and started telling us about a charity that is close to their families heart, CLEFT (www.cleft.org.uk), we felt compelled to do what we could to support the cause.
Jenny and Matt's son, Landon, was born in 2007 with a cleft lip and palate. They were fortunate to be near, and have access to, first class doctors who could operate on Landon at a young age and help him become the charming, adorable, and charismatic two year old that Sam and I have had fun getting to know. After seeing first hand the skill of the doctors, Matt has become a trustee of CLEFT, a charity that helps improve the care of children born with cleft lip and palate both in the UK and worldwide, care that can change these children's daily lives forever. CLEFT's first major fundraising event is the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 11 October 2009.
Sam and I know that many of you are in saving mode and were also so generous last year when we were raising money for the ACS. Our main goal is to help spead the word about this incredible charity. I know they would appreciate any financial support you can give as well, and to read more about the charity and giving please see below.
Thank you in advance for your all of your continued support.
With Love,
Casey and Sam
Giving:
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: CLEFT gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure an extra 28% in tax will be added to your donation.
What is CLEFT:
A charity that helps improve the care of children born with cleft lip and palate both in the UK and worldwide.
- 75% of funds raised will promote research by the team into the causes and methods of treatment of cleft lip and palate and related conditions. This research can potentially make huge improvements in the lives of those affected with cleft lip and palate – not just in physical appearance, but more importantly with core abilities adversely affected by cleft lip and palate such as feeding, speech and hearing.
For example:
£250,000 will fund a study of the muscles which lift the palate and stop air from going into the nose during speech, and food during swallowing
£150,000 will fund a two-year study of the growth of the upper jaw in patients who have had cleft palate repair
£15,000 will fund a study which may show how we can reduce hearing problems in children with cleft palates.
- The remaining 25% will be used to support the overseas activities of the team in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Uganda and Ghana. For example, CLEFT has recently purchased and sent operating microscopes to teams in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh who were previously operating without this important piece of technology.
For more information on our charity, please check out the website at http://www.cleft.org.uk