Join Christopher's Trek for Smiles

Dear Friends and Family:

As most of you know, I took a trip to Colombia in the Spring of 2023 on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and Operation Smile and it profoundly changed me. To see first hand how Operation Smile can transform the life of individuals with a cleft condition was very moving and inspiring! The child with cleft leads us back to their community and shows the world they have little hope of getting basic surgery or care, simply because of where they were born.

The volunteer-delivered global team has provided urgently needed surgical care to over 360,000 people worldwide living with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial differences.

While a cleft surgery can cost as little as $240 and take as few as 45 minutes, the impact of that surgery and subsequent comprehensive care provided changes that child’s life, and ensures basic surgery is available close to home-for everyone who lives there.

One of my other passions is mountain climbing and summiting high peaks all over the US. I currently stand at 38 state high points and now have an opportunity to add the tallest mountain in the continent of Africa to the list.

I’ve signed up for a unique opportunity and new challenge to take my support to the next level-both literally and figuratively-by joining Trek for Smiles and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in September of 2025. A small group of us will trek about 80km over eight days to an elevation of 19,341 feet!

What makes this endeavor extra special for me, beyond the physical challenge, is that Tanzania is a new entry country for Operation Smile. The funds we raise through Trek for Smiles will not only deliver safe, effective and timely surgery and specialized care, it will provide essential support focused on training and educating local healthcare workers.

I can’t do this Trek alone. I first want to raise enough money ($5,000) for 20 children to receive these life changing procedures, which I have been able to see first hand!

My 2nd goal is to raise an additional $5,000 to cover my cost to travel to Africa and successfully and safely summit the mountain with my team while bringing awareness to cleft lip and palate conditions that exist around the globe. This donation will go towards supplies, gear, porters, air fare, food and safe passage up and down the mountain and to and from the airports and hospitals while spending 2 weeks in Tanzania.

With love and gratitude to you all!

Christopher Northrop