Smile for a Lifetime, an international nonprofit program dedicated to providing donated orthodontic care to children and young adults who otherwise could not afford care, is launching a new national campaign led by two doctors who will cycle from coast to coast to raise funds and awareness for the organization. Smile for a Lifetime’s Board President and orthodontist Dr. Don Montano and maxilla facial surgeon Dr. Rob Relle will kick off the historic “Creating Smiles One Mile at a Time” fundraising ride in Santa Monica, Calif. on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Accompanied by two additional cyclists, Brian Dooley and Abel Rivera, and a support vehicle, the team plans to average 100 miles a day for approximately five weeks, as they ride along historic U.S. Route 66 to the finish line in Virginia Beach, Va.
“We are taking on this epic cross-country ride with the goal of helping as many kids as possible to get the high-quality orthodontic care they deserve through Smile for a Lifetime. It’s an idea two-and-a-half years in the making,” said Dr. Montano. “Along the way, we hope to shine a light on the mission of Smile for a Lifetime, encourage people across the country to donate, and ultimately inspire more orthodontists, dentists and oral surgeons to join our network of volunteer providers.”
Since its inception in 2008, Smile for a Lifetime serves an average of 600-650 children per year with a focus on children in foster care, low income homes and other special circumstances. This year, applications are at an all-time high, in large part due to the pandemic and families facing increased financial hardship. All orthodontic and dental care is provided free of charge outside of an initial application fee, with doctors donating their time and treatment while orthodontic manufacturers deliver the necessary equipment at no cost.
“As the Smile for a Lifetime waiting list grows, it’s imperative that we add more doctors to our network in order to match families with their services,” added Dr. Relle. “By traveling roughly 3,000 miles across the country and making some stops to visit with local dental communities, families and potential patients, we hope to raise awareness of the need and different ways to help nationwide.”
OrthoBanc is a key sponsor of the “Creating Smiles One Mile at a Time” campaign, along with McGill & Hill Group, Montano Elevated Orthodontics, ProBioraPlus and Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions. The four riders plan to take a southerly route through California, Arizona, New Mexico, the panhandle of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, southern Illinois and Kentucky, before dipping into Virginia for the final push, crossing the finish line in Virginia Beach on approximately October 30 or 31. The group will cycle a large portion of historic Route 66 made famous internationally in the 1950’s and a landmark for many cyclists crossing the United States on bikes.
Throughout the journey, the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation will feature a “Where in the World Are They Smiling” promotion on social media, which will award prizes to followers who can guess correctly where the foursome will land on any given week. Additional photos will be added on social media platforms as cues to help the public guess. Follow Smile for a Lifetime on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and the hashtag #Smile4ALifetime for more details.
For more information, to apply for services, become a provider, or to donate, please visit www.smileforalifetime.org.
About Smile for a Lifetime
Launched in 2008, Smile for a Lifetime is an international program that provides quality orthodontic care to children and young adults who normally would not be able to afford treatment. Smile for a Lifetime aims to reach individuals with financial challenges, special situations and orthodontic needs, and does not charge for orthodontic treatment. Families are responsible for an application fee and participating orthodontists provide free services at their regular offices while orthodontic manufacturing companies deliver the necessary supplies at no cost. To date, Smile for a Lifetime has provided more than $44 million in services to children worldwide. For more information, to donate, apply for services, or to become a provider, go to www.smileforalifetime.org. Follow along on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and #Smile4ALifetime.
