World Cleft Awareness Day
Raising awareness about cleft lip and cleft palate and honoring the global cleft community.
Every Cleft. Every Journey. Every Smile.
Illustration created by Kate Hamernik, a parent of Charlie, a cleft-affected 14-year-old girl.
World Cleft Awareness Day: What It Is
World Cleft Awareness Day celebrates the global cleft community and spotlights the diverse experiences, challenges, perspectives, and successes that shape each cleft journey. It is an opportunity to elevate the importance of comprehensive medical, emotional, and social support while creating space for individuals and families to share their stories in their own words.
On World Cleft Awareness Day, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of the cleft community — while working to ensure all cleft-affected individuals have access to the life-changing care they deserve.
Why Cleft Awareness Matters
To build real understanding
Cleft conditions are common, yet widely misunderstood. Cleft awareness replaces myths with facts and swaps assumptions for empathy.
To center lived experience
This day elevates the voices and lived experiences of people born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate, along with their families and loved ones.
To support access to care
Cleft awareness helps drive advocacy for timely, comprehensive treatment and support - so no one is left behind, and cleft-affected individuals can access the life-changing care they deserve.
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate: What They Are
A cleft lip or cleft palate happens when parts of a baby's mouth don't fully form during early pregnancy, affecting about 1 in 700 babies worldwide. Clefts can make it harder to eat, breathe, hear, and speak — but with timely cleft surgery and care, children with clefts can grow up healthy and confident.
Still, too many children around the world go without treatment. By learning, sharing, and standing with those affected, we can raise cleft awareness and help ensure every voice in the cleft community is heard.
Join in on July 20 on social to answer
What do you want the world to understand about a cleft lip and a cleft palate?
#CleftDay2026