THE Operation Rainbow Australia is a non-profit organization dedicated to performing free facial reconstructive surgery for children and young adults in the Philippines for almost 25 years.

“In Cebu, this is the eighth year that the Operation Rainbow has been conducting medical missions for children who are underserved, have limited or no access to medical care and could not afford to have reconstructive surgery,” said Kate Marek-Salapak, the Operation Rainbow president.

This year about 100 children are expected to undergo the surgery for cleft lip and cleft palate.

Marek-Salapak said that on June 1 volunteer doctors will examine the children and prepare them for surgery, which will be performed by a dedicated Australian medical team who have volunteered their skills and expertise for free.

The children’s fitness and anaesthetic assessment will be done by a pediatric anaesthetist.

The surgery for the selected patients will start on the afternoon of June 1 until June 7 at the Dr. Ignacio M. Cortes General Hospital in Mandaue City.

Nanette Cortes, the hospital administrator and chief executive officer, said the hospital has been consistently coordinating with Operation Rainbow in the past seven years.

“I am very thankful that through our hospital we were able to serve the people from all walks of life, especially the needy, thereby fostering better care and understanding, making lives better and smiles brighter,” she said.

The medical mission is made possible with the assistance of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, supported by its trustee Robinson Uy, the president of La Nueva Pharmacy.

Trustee Benny Que also volunteered his team to participate in this mission as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

“The Operation Rainbow has been doing the mission here in Cebu for the longest time. Aside from being a true-blooded Cebuano, we always have the heart for the children. This is the reason why we at Golden Prince Hotel are supporting this cause as we see the benefits will change the future of these less fortunate kids. Who knows they could be the one doing something great for Cebu in the future?” he said.

The children who will undergo surgery will be provided with meals and medicines while in the hospital.

A “take-home bag,” containing rice and food, will also be given to the children.

For more information on the Operation Rainbow and the surgery, call or send a message to 0917-624-7746 or 0922-857-0304 with the name of the patient, age, sex and address.