Hello!

Hello, My name is Jill Gorby and if you are visiting my blog you have probably met me or heard about what I am doing.  If not, I will fill you in.  I am training for my second marathon and have decided to raise money for a non-profit organization called Of One Heart.  This organization was set up to help local families who have children born with different maxillofacial deformities, such as cleft lips and palates.  I have chosen this organization because I was also born with a cleft lip and palate.  I was lucky enough to have parents who could afford to give me twelve plastic surgeries, years of speech therapy, and five years of major orthodontics.  Because of them and Dr. Mann, the founder of Of One Heart, I live a very normal life.  I would like to help other children do the same. 

My fundraising goal is $10,000!  I will need all the help I can get to raise that amount of money.  I am training for the Minneapolis Marathon on June 5, 2011.  Here are some facts and information about Of One Heart:

Mission Statement:  Dedicated to Children's health needs that otherwise fall through the cracks of our health programs on a child by child basis, through the generous support of the communities of West Michigan who care for their neighbors as if Of One Heart.

Of One Heart is a non-profit corporation comprised of local doctors and professionals.  It has been operating informally for years as doctors giving their time to work with needy children whose health needs fall through the insurance and federal and state health program cracks.

Of One Heart was formed on a formal basis in order to bring it to a higher level as the number of needy children inquiring help has grown.

Of One Heart helps children with hearing and speech disabilities, facial deformities (including cleft palate), and other medical issues.  In early 1998, Of One Heart designed a summer speech therapy school in association with DeVos Children's Hospital.

Of One Heart is committed to operating in an environment free of red tape and making decisions based on common sense and the needs of children.  With this commitment, the organization can most effectively turn heartaches into smiles.

In 2010, Of One Heart has contributed over $14,000 toward treatment for their Oral Cleft Clinic patient population that included orthodontia, oral surgery, counseling services and speech therapy.

If you have any questions about this organization, you can contact Dr. Mann's office at 616-486-5885.