Supporting the Craniofacial Community

myFace is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the faces – and transforming the lives – of children and adults with facial differences.

Supporting the Craniofacial Community

myFace is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the faces – and transforming the lives – of children and adults with facial differences.

In the U.S., approximately

individuals have been diagnosed with a craniofacial condition.

Each year, the faces of another

individuals are disfigured through accident or disease.

Support our Annual Appeal to help us reach our $200,000 goal!

Our faces are our identity.

When an individual is impacted by a facial difference, either congenital or due to accident or disease, they are subject to stigma, judgment and misunderstanding.

For thousands of people with craniofacial differences, myFace has been a lifeline for our community. Our aim is to value, respect, and empower each individual to achieve their greatest potential.

Your support is critical to what we do. And we can’t do it without you.

Please make a donation to support our Annual Appeal campaign today and help us reach our $200,000 goal!

Had I had a community like myFace when I was younger, I would have felt less alone. Seeing other people like me, it would have opened up another world and helped me to understand why I am the way I am. – Charmaine

Resources for the craniofacial community

Craniofacial Surgeries

Parent Guides

Support Groups

Picture of a group of five people sitting and talking in a living room home setting

Education

Learn about craniofacial differences →

myFace Media Productions

Webinars

Podcasts

Header image with gradient background from pink at left to baby blue at right, overlayed with the show title "myFace, myStory" in bold white lettering.

myFace | Every Milestone

We are here for you every step of the way - and for every milestone.

For more than 72 years, myFace has worked to change the faces – and transform the lives – of children and adults with facial differences. By providing individuals and their families living with a facial difference with access to holistic comprehensive care, psychosocial services, education, resources and support that pave the way for better outcomes, we ensure that each and every member of our community knows they are never alone.

You make so much possible!

Learn more about your impact on our community in our 2021 Impact Report.

Hear from the myFace community

“ myFace is the light in our long journey through darkness. For Hadi, it was a miracle. A smile so bright, nothing could wipe it off his face. For that, our whole family thanks myFace for all the joy they brought to us.

Rabah

myFace Parent

“

myFace has a loving and dedicated staff that directly help people throughout the journey of craniofacial reconstruction. Our family is forever grateful to their incredible support.

Lisa Pleasants-Smith

myFace Parent

“

I’ve never seen such an amazing organization. “myFace” is pure compassion, empathy, hope, and love.

Melanie Solis

myFace Parent

How can we help?

Hello! Welcome to myFace.org.

Do you need help with something today? If so, please begin by choosing one of the following options:

Question 1

I am an individual with a craniofacial condition or facial difference

I am the family member of an individual with a craniofacial condition or facial difference

I am a healthcare professional

I am a myFace supporter

I am interested in learning more about myFace

myFace partners with craniofacial centers all across the U.S., and will work with you to find the right fit. Please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org for further assistance.

Additionally, myFace provides a variety of resources on this topic which might be helpful. For more information, please explore:

A webinar from our Transforming Lives Series: “The Difference a Craniofacial Care Team Can Make.”
A guide for assembling a Craniofacial Care Team, which can be found at: https://www.myface.org/parent-guides/craniofacial-care-teams/
A Q&A about Craniofacial Care Centers, which can be found at: https://www.myface.org/parent-guides/craniofacial-care-centers/

At myFace, we aim to provide guidance for patients’ surgical experiences by providing in-depth information on some of the most common craniofacial surgeries, including Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO), Fronto Orbital Advancement (FOA), Le Fort I, Le Fort III, and Monobloc surgery. Please explore our “Guide to Craniofacial Surgeries” at www.myface.org/surgeries/.

We also offer a webinar that you may find helpful, on the topic of:
Preparing Teenagers for Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery https://www.myface.org/events-page/surgerywebinar/

If you have additional questions, please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org.

Yes, myFace provides convenient housing for out-of-town patients and families receiving care at any of the craniofacial centers in New York City.

We also provide complimentary, roundtrip tickets to patients and families through the Southwest Airlines Medical Transportation Grant Program for patients being treated at the myFace Center for Craniofacial Care at NYU Langone Health.

For more information on either of these resources, please visit www.myface.org/travel-housing/ to find contact information and how to apply.

myFace offers information on 27 craniofacial conditions, which can be found at www.myface.org/craniofacial-conditions/. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org.

myFace is here to support you. We offer Support Groups for Adults, Parents (in both English and Spanish), Adolescents,, and prenatal parents who have received a craniofacial diagnosis. Please explore our Support Group options at www.myface.org/online-groups/.

We have some related resources which might be helpful, including:

A myFace, myStory podcast episode on bullying which can be found at www.myface.org/events-page/myface-mystory-bullying-at-any-age/
A guide to self-esteem which can be found at https://www.myface.org/parent-guides/self-esteem/
Creating Building Blocks for Home, School, and Social Connections for Children with Craniofacial Diagnoses
https://www.myface.org/events-page/transforming-lives-creating-building-blocks-for-home-school-and-social-connections-for-children-with-craniofacial-diagnoses/

myFace offers guides to help you explore nutrition, genetics, tips for healthcare appointments, craniofacial care teams, craniofacial care centers, self-esteem, and more. Please explore our resources at www.myface.org/parent-guides/.

We also offer webinars that cover a variety of topics related to the everyday management of craniofacial conditions and surgeries which you may find helpful, including:

Navigating Health Insurance for People with Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, and Other Craniofacial Conditions
https://www.myface.org/events-page/transforming-lives-navigating-health-insurance-for-people-with-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-and-other-craniofacial-conditions/

If you need resources on additional topics, please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, for assistance at Sandy@myFace.org.

While myFace focuses primarily on assisting individuals with facial differences located within the United States – and is not familiar with medical teams and resources outside of the U.S. – international families are welcome to access the many educational resources available on our website. If you have additional questions, please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org.

At myFace, we believe there is power in the shared story, and that by sharing our stories, we feel less alone. Please reach out to Katie Bazyluk, Communications Manager, at Katie@myFace.org to share details about your or your family’s journey with a craniofacial condition or facial difference.

Please send your name, craniofacial condition, and details about your question/comment to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at sandy@myface.org.

Additionally, myFace provides a variety of resources on this topic which might be helpful. For more information, please explore:

A webinar from our Transforming Lives Series: “The Difference a Craniofacial Care Team Can Make.”
A guide for assembling a Craniofacial Care Team, which can be found at: https://www.myface.org/parent-guides/craniofacial-care-teams/
A Q&A about Craniofacial Care Centers, which can be found at: https://www.myface.org/parent-guides/craniofacial-care-centers/

We also offer a webinar that you may find helpful, on the topic of:
Preparing Teenagers for Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery https://www.myface.org/events-page/surgerywebinar/

If you have additional questions, please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org.

Yes, myFace provides convenient housing for out-of-town patients and families receiving care at any of the craniofacial centers in New York City.

For more information on either of these resources, please visit www.myface.org/travel-housing/ to find contact information and how to apply.

We have some related resources which might be helpful, including:

We also offer webinars that cover a variety of topics related to the everyday management of craniofacial conditions and surgeries which you may find helpful, including:

If you need resources on additional topics, please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, for assistance at Sandy@myFace.org.

myFace is here for you every step of the way and has resources to support you on your journey.

We have designed Parent Guides to help you explore many aspects of your child’s craniofacial condition, such as nutrition, genetics, tips for healthcare appointments, craniofacial care teams, craniofacial care centers, self-esteem, and more. Please explore our resources at www.myface.org/parent-guides/.

We have also delivered a free educational webinar on the topic as part of our Transforming Lives series, entitled “The Impact of Prenatal Diagnostics on Postnatal Care.” To access this webinar and its accompanying resources please visit myface.org/events-page/transforming-lives-the-impact-of-prenatal-diagnostics-on-postnatal-care/.

myFace also offers a Prenatal Support Group for expecting parents of a child with a craniofacial condition. For more information, please visit https://www.myface.org/online-groups/ and/or reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org.

While myFace focuses primarily on assisting individuals with facial differences located within the United States, we do review international requests on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org.

At myFace, we want members of our community to feel supported at every stage of their journey. To that end, we have several resources to assist with the transition from pediatric to adult-centered care. Please explore the following resources:

An episode of our myFace, myStory monthly podcast that addresses this topic can be found at: https://www.myface.org/events-page/myface-mystory-life-after-high-school
An episode of our Transforming Lives Webinar series that focuses on helping young people transition from pediatric care to adult care can be found at: https://www.myface.org/events-page/transitionofcare/

For additional support and community, myFace also offers an Adult Support Group for individuals with craniofacial differences who are 18+. To learn more, visit https://www.myface.org/online-groups/.

myFace seeks to empower family members so that they can best support their child/family member with a craniofacial condition.

myFace has a Parent Support Group where topics like this are often discussed, which meets every other Thursday at 5:00 pm ET / 2:00 pm PT. To join this support group please reach out to Dina Zuckerberg, myFace Director of Family Programming, at Dina@myface.org.

myFace has also presented two webinars in our Transforming Lives series that address this topic, which can be found at:

myFace offers parent guides on a variety of topics, including a guide to healthcare appointment tips, which can be found at https://www.myface.org/parent-guides/healthcare-appointment-tips/.

myFace’s monthly podcast series – myFace, myStory – also often invites members of the community to speak on such topics. One such episode can be found at:
https://www.myface.org/events-page/myface-mystory-advocating-for-your-child-a-parents-perspective/

We are delighted that you are interested in bringing messages of kindness, inclusion, and being an Upstander against bullying to your child’s school through the myFace Wonder Project. To register your school today or to learn more, please visit https://www.myface.org/wonder/. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Dina Zuckerberg, Director of Family Programs, at Dina@myFace.org.

Please explore these additional resources for your child with craniofacial differences, such as:

Camp Opportunities for Children with Facial Differences all across the country (updated annually in the winter/spring before each new summer session): https://www.myface.org/camps/
Scholarship Opportunities available for children with craniofacial differences can be found at: https://www.myface.org/scholarships/

Please send your name, craniofacial condition, and details about your question/comment to info@myface.org. A member of our team will be in touch with you as quickly as possible.

Thank you for the critical work you do in supporting patients and their families with craniofacial conditions. myFace has many free educational and support resources to offer your patients, including:

Support Groups: Groups are available for for Adults, Parents, Adolescents, Spanish speakers, and expecting parents. Find more information at https://www.myface.org/online-groups/.
Educational Webinar Series: Our Transforming Lives Webinar Series occurs quarterly, where we present on a range of topics (including psychosocial, insurance, preparation for surgery, speech and language development, hearing loss, and more), featuring faculty speakers as well as spotlighted patients and families. Learn more and subscribe today at https://www.myface.org/event-category/webinars/.
The myFace Guide to Craniofacial Surgery: The guides provides in-depth information on some of the most common craniofacial surgeries, including Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO), Fronto Orbital Advancement (FOA), Le Fort I, Le Fort III, and Monobloc surgery. Please explore our Guide to Surgery resources at www.myface.org/surgeries/.
Craniofacial Conditions: myFace offers in-depth information on a variety of craniofacial conditions, which can be found at www.myface.org/craniofacial-conditions/.
If you have any additional questions about this resource, or have other conditions you think should be added, please reach out to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at Sandy@myFace.org.
myFace, myStory podcast: myFace Director of Family Programs Dina Zuckerberg hosts a monthly podcast featuring conversations, interviews, and roundtable discussions from the members of the craniofacial community and beyond. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you like to listen to your podcasts. Learn more at https://www.myface.org/mystory.
Annual community events: To help foster relationships among members of the craniofacial community, myFace hosts several events throughout the year annually, including a Holiday Party in December for patients and their families, a 5k walk in Septemeber to raise awareness called Races for Faces, and a talent show in May called myFace…Celebrates! Please note that all events take place in NYC, but that myFace Celebrates… also has a virtual broadcast so individuals and families from all over the country (or world) can participate! To learn more, go to www.myface.org and explore “Get Involved” in the main menu.
Free accommodation and transportation to NYC: For those seeking medical treatment related to craniofacial conditions in NYC, myFace provides convenient, FREE housing to out-of-town patients and families receiving care in New York City in our myFace Family Apartments. To learn more, visit https://www.myface.org/travel-housing/.
Summer Camps: There are a variety of wonderful Summer Camps for kids with craniofacial conditions throughout the U.S. – many of which are FREE of charge! For more information, and to see if there is a camp near you which your young patients might attend, please visit: https://www.myface.org/camps/.
Scholarship Opportunities: There are also some scholarship opportunities for which your patients might be eligible, which can be found at: https://www.myface.org/scholarships/
Newsletter: Patients and families are also welcome to sign up for the myFace Newsletter so as to receive monthly updates about our events, programs, and services at: https://www.myface.org/myface-newsletter-sign-up/.

The myFace Welcome Baby Newborn Craniofacial Care Kits are distributed through partnerships with craniofacial teams at hospitals across the United States with a focus on underserved populations and communities. The packages are not distributed directly to families. If your craniofacial team is interested in partnering with us to distribute these kits to families in need, please email Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at sandy@myface.org.

Please send your name, hospital affiliation, and details about your question/comment to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, at sandy@myface.org.

Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering with us! myFace welcomes volunteers for our annual events, such as the Holiday Party in December, Races for Faces in September, and myFace Celebrates… in May. Please note that all events take place in New York City. To learn more, please email Karen Lazarus, Director of Campaign Development, at Karen@myFace.org.

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting myFace! We could not do all that we do to support individuals with craniofacial differences and their families without your generosity.

There are a variety of ways that one can give to myFace, including matching gifts, gifts of securities, and more! Please explore https://www.myface.org/ways-to-give/ to view all of the options.

If you have additional questions, please email Karen Lazarus, Director of Campaign Development, at Karen@myFace.org.

Thank you for reaching out about your craniofacial research study. Please send details of the study to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, for review at Sandy@myFace.org.

Thank you for your interest in advocating for our community. The two main advocacy initiatives that myFace is currently supporting are: The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), and Ally’s Act. More information about these initiatives, and how you can get involved, can be found at https://www.myface.org/advocacy/. Please contact Sandy@myface.org if there is additional legislation that you believe myFace should support.

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting myFace! We could not do all that we do to support individuals with craniofacial differences and their families without your generosity.

There are a variety of ways that one can give to myFace, including matching gifts, gifts of securities, and more! Please explore https://www.myface.org/ways-to-give/ to view all of the options.

If you have additional questions, please email Karen Lazarus, Director of Campaign Development, at Karen@myFace.org.

Thank you for reaching out about your craniofacial research study. Please send details of the study to Sandy Gilbert, Senior Program Director, for review at Sandy@myFace.org.

Submit your inquiry, and we will be in touch!

Name(Required)

First

Last

Email(Required)

34137

Supporting the Craniofacial Community

Supporting the Craniofacial Community

Support our Annual Appeal to help us reach our $200,000 goal!