Operation Smile is proud to recognize Brooke Burke, co-host of ABC’s
Dancing With The Stars, as an official Smile Ambassador who will support the organization’s global efforts to provide free surgeries for children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.
Burke is a successful host, actress and entrepreneur. She recently co-hosted season 10 of ABC’s hit TV show
Dancing With The Stars after winning season seven with her professional dance partner Derek Hough. Burke is founder of Baboosh Baby and the co-CEO of ModernMom.com, an online community for “the woman behind the mom.” Burke will make her debut as an author when her first book, “The Naked Mom,” is published in February.
With the help of medical volunteers and generous supporters like Burke, Operation Smile has provided free reconstructive surgeries for more than 150,000 children worldwide since its founding in 1982. Every three minutes, it is estimated a child is born with a cleft. One in 10 of those children die before their first birthday.
As a supporter of Operation Smile and mother of four children, Burke utilizes her wide array of talents to raise funds and awareness for children in need worldwide. In September 2010, Burke partnered with Oral-B to celebrate their commitment to advancing America’s oral health. Oral-B, the brand of toothbrush more dentists use themselves worldwide, offered consumers 50 percent off select Premium Power toothbrushes after mail-in rebate from September 1 through October 31, 2010 to empower Americans to take charge of their own oral health. As a result of her participation in the campaign, Oral-B Premium Power toothbrushes donated $25,000 to Operation Smile – providing free surgeries for 104 children born with facial deformities. She also participated in Pottery Barn Kids’ recent Halloween Carnival and Legoland California’s annual Christmas tree lighting, with her appearances raising over $20,000 for Operation Smile.
"I understand the value of self-esteem for everyone,” said Burke. “A smile is infectious and something of which every child deserves to be proud. I am honored to join the powerful team to change lives for thousands of children around the world, and am committed to raising funds and awareness for Operation Smile."
“As a mother of four, Brooke knows firsthand the desire parents have in wanting to provide a future for their children,” said Dr. Bill Magee, CEO and Co-Founder of Operation Smile. “Because of her support, energy and dedication, we can give hope and new lives for thousands of children awaiting reconstructive surgery.”
For more information about Brooke Burke and Operation Smile’s global efforts, please visit
www.operationsmile.org/brooke-burke. Supporters can follow Operation Smile on Twitter
@operationsmile and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/operationsmile.
About Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org)
Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee and headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Operation Smile has treated more than 150,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in more than 60 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and donates crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.
