Governor Proclaims Cleft and Craniofacial Acceptance Month 2021

WHEREAS, the Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA) began celebrating Craniofacial Acceptance Month in 2005 to bring awareness to the thousands of children born each year in the United States who are either born with or develop a craniofacial difference, which can be a structural or physical anomaly of the head and/or face; and

WHEREAS, the most well-known craniofacial difference is Cleft Lip, which is seen in over 185,000 births a year worldwide, there are many more children that are born with dozens of additional facial differences such as Apert Syndrome, Treacher Collins Syndrome, Crouzon Syndrome, facial palsy, and craniosynostosis, among others; and

WHEREAS, due to the complexity of craniofacial syndromes, the majority of affected individuals will endure up to 30-40 surgeries before they reach adulthood; and

WHEREAS, families with a member who has a craniofacial condition often undergo emotional and financial strain due to demands resulting from ongoing and expensive medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, organizations such as Children's Craniofacial Association strive to empower and give hope to individuals and families affected by craniofacial differences, while working toward the vision of a world where all people are accepted for who they are, not how they look;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September, 2021, as “CLEFT AND CRANIOFACIAL ACCEPTANCE MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.