European Cleft Organisation
The European Cleft Organisation (ECO) is a pan-European charity which aims to ensure every child born in Europe with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate receives treatment and support to reach their full potential. It is a voluntary organisation and a registered charity.
The Organisation was founded, and is registered, in the Hague, Netherlands, in 2007. Founding members were Gareth Davies then Chief Executive of the UK Cleft Lip and Palate Association CLAPA and Anton Vorderman, brother of TV celebrity Carol Vorderman Board members include health professionals working with cleft lip and palate, former patients, and specialists in organisational development.
Aims and Activities
With international support from among others Transforming FACES Worldwide the organisation runs country support programs (currently in Bulgaria), training for health professionals working with babies and children with clefts and is seeking Europe-wide collaboration to undertake an audit of cleft care, beginning in Eastern Europe.
See also
- Cleft lip and palate