FINDING much success and willing partners for its Team Empower fund-raising platform, Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, is extending the program in the country for a third straight year with a new set of athletes championing the impact that runs for a cause have.
In line with Smile Train’s thrust to create more smiles, new beginnings, and the opportunity for children with clefts to live full and productive lives, Team Empower, brought in the Philippines in 2017, is an endurance fundraizing platform that allows athletes to create an online fundraising page and encourage their friends and family to show support by donating to the cause.
Smile Train Team Empower currently has charity slots soldout to marathons and multi-sport races, such as the London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City marathons and a number of Ironman races around the world.
Since being organized here, the program has been received well in the local setting, something Smile Train officials hope to sustain moving forward.
“As Smile Train celebrates its 20th year, we continue to recognize people who want to contribute their time and talent for a good cause,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train’s Area Director for Southeast Asia.
“Smile Train Team EMPOWER is the perfect avenue for athletes to pursue their personal fitness goals while still creating a brighter future for babies born with clefts,” she added.
For this year, the Team Empower athletes include founder and president of People Ignite and a cancer survivor, Joy Wong; Pound Fitness pro, Marge Camacho; triathlete coach, Coach Norman Pascual; and Joyette Jopson, triathlete coach and the First Filipino Finisher of the FWD 78° North Marathon.
They were recently introduced to media in a gathering held at The Rudy Project Lifestyle Store in Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City, where they participated in an open discussion and shared some fitness tips.
“In the Philippines, there is an estimate of 5,000 babies with clefts born every year. We are grateful for our Smile Train Team Empower athletes who help us raise funds and awareness for children in need. Having their support helps us reach more patients all over the country,” said Ms. Coseteng-Flaviano of their organization and partners.
To learn more about Smile Train Team Empower and the races, visit smiletrain.org/get-involved/team-empower or e-mail philippines@smiletrain.org. For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, visit smiletrain.org. — — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
