Hi, I'm Sarah! 31 years ago, I was born with a cleft lip and palate in Dublin, Ireland (I now live in London, UK). It was a complete surprise, something that I had hidden in the scan, by turning my head away.

Over the years, I went through surgeries, countless appointments, dental work (still ongoing), and more. It wasn't the easiest of roads, but it brought me something I am super passionate about: Operation Smile.

I got involved as a kid, creating and selling cards to fundraise. This then grew, as I continued to fundraise and raise awareness, introducing it in my secondary school, creating a club in university, and advocating online. As a singer and musician, this has also crossed paths with the charity- through a CD we made in 2009, to performing at Carols by Candlelight in both Ireland and the UK, to singing at talent shows at several ISLCs (International Student Leadership Conferences).

When I was a teenager, I got involved in Student Programs, attending two local Irish conferences, in Limerick in 2011 and 2012, and then the 2014 ISLC, which also took place there. That was the year I undertook my first training to go on a program, which brought me to Ecatepec, Mexico that same summer. I returned in 2016, to the conference and training (for U-Voice, a journalist student role) in San Diego. In November of that year, I went to Lincang, China. Those experiences have stayed with me all this time, and I have only been dreaming of going on more programs! Getting to be a part of the journeys of others like me was so incredible.

I did another ISLC in 2017, as it was taking place in Rome, so I couldn't pass the opportunity up! That was my last conference as a student, and I patiently waited to do one again, as well as the training for a program, but this time as a chaperone.

This past summer of 2025, I went to the University of Maryland, to do just this. I am thrilled to be heading to Paraguay in March of this year!

Operation Smile is an amazing cause, helping patients with cleft conditions worldwide. They have changed the lives of so many families, and continue to do so every day. My role is to chaperone students, who will be educating, and entertaining the patients. As the student team, it is our job to spread some joy in what can be both a scary and monumental experience for families. Your support for my surgical program is very much appreciated, and I look forward to sharing my experience with you!