As part of her ongoing commitment to help children with clefts, Kylie Jenner, Creator of Kylie Cosmetics, entrepreneur, television personality, fashion designer, style icon and Smile Train Ambassador, held a special event yesterday at Kylie Cosmetics’ headquarters where she presented a check for over $150,000 to Smile Train’s CEO, Susannah Schaefer.
Credit/Copyright: Photography by Joyce Park for Slickforce Studio
The funds raised will help 638 cleft children receive not only new smiles, but also second chances at life. Jenner’s support comes from the net proceeds of her limited edition “Smile” Lip Kit from her Kylie Cosmetics line.
“Through my company Kylie Cosmetics, I was able to create a beautiful pink lip kit shade called Smile specifically for Smile Train. I couldn’t be happier that 100% of the net proceeds are going straight to Smile Train to help kids around the world get the surgery they need to help them have beautiful smiles and the opportunity to live healthy, happy lives,” said Jenner. “It’s really important to me to present this check to Susannah today, knowing that 638 cleft children will now have the chance to thrive. It’s an honor to be part of changing so many children’s futures, I’m excited to continue my relationship with Smile Train and see the difference we make together.”
Also present at the event was six-year-old Zachary, a patient who received his free cleft surgery at a local Smile Train partner hospital in Ethiopia. Zachary represents just one of the estimated 170,000 children in developing countries who are born with cleft lips and/or palates each year. Children with untreated clefts live in isolation and, more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing and speaking. Smile Train’s sustainable model provides training, funding and resources to empower local doctors in over 85 countries in the developing world to provide 100 percent-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care in their own communities. Since its founding in 1999, Smile Train has provided more than one million new smiles.
“Smile Train is extremely appreciative of Kylie’s selfless generosity in supporting children living with untreated clefts,” said Schaefer. “I’m grateful to be here today accepting this check on behalf of the 638 children who will receive their new smiles and am thankful to Kylie for helping raise awareness for the millions of cleft children still waiting for their turns.”
Kylie also answered some questions about her involvement with Smile Train.
Why is Smile Train’s cause important to you and what made you want to get involved?
When I first started learning about Smile Train, I was shocked by how many children around the world are born each day with a cleft lip or cleft palate. Smile Train’s local doctors help these children in need with free surgery every five minutes, 365 days a year. Similar to when I launched my #IAmMoreThan campaign, I wanted to use my social media platforms to help inform my fans about clefts and raise money to give these young kids the surgeries they need to get the smiles they deserve.
How are you and your company, Kylie Cosmetics, helping Smile Train?
Through my company, I was able to create a beautiful pink lip kit shade called Smile specifically for Smile Train. 100% of the proceeds are going straight to Smile Train to help kids around the world get the surgery they need to help them have a beautiful smile and the opportunity to live healthy, happy lives.
What does the power of a smile mean to you?
I think a person’s smile tells so much about them. One person’s smile can change someone else’s day.
How can others learn more about Smile Train and help children with clefts?
Visit smiletrain.org/kylie to get all the information you need to learn more about how you can get involved.
To learn more about Smile Train’s global efforts and to make a donation, please visit smiletrain.org/kylie.
