Smile Train to Bring Global Cleft Community Together for Sixth Annual Virtual Cleft Con

Virtual Cleft Con will connect people affected by cleft and their families with advocates, experts, and community members around the world.

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Smile Train, the world's largest cleft-focused organization, will host its sixth annual Virtual Cleft Con on October 17, bringing together members of the global cleft community for a day of connection, conversation, and learning.

Following Smile Train's annual in-person national Cleft Con, which was hosted in Phoenix this year, Virtual Cleft Con extends the experience beyond geographic borders, creating an opportunity for people affected by cleft, their families, and advocates around the world to participate from wherever they are.

The event will kick off with Friday Night Lights, a high-energy conversation featuring cleft-affected athletes including professional hockey player and Olympic gold medalist, Nicole Hensley, NFL player and Washington Commanders tight end, John Bates, and professional cheerleader, Jenna Waller, who will share their experiences in sports and confidence. The session will offer attendees an opportunity to hear directly from athletes on how finding a passion has shaped their journeys, giving them a sense of purpose and community.

The free virtual event on Saturday will feature interactive sessions, personal stories, and honest conversations exploring the experiences of living with cleft. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who understand the cleft journey, hear from advocates, and celebrate the strength and diversity of the global cleft community.

"Cleft Con has always been about creating a space where people affected by cleft can share their experiences and know they are not alone," said Smile Train Senior Cleft Community Development Manager, Iva Ballou. "Virtual Cleft Con allows us to take that sense of community across borders, connecting people who may be thousands of miles apart but share many of the same experiences."

Cleft Con was first held virtually in 2020, bringing the cleft community together at a time when in-person connection was not possible. The virtual gathering has since become an annual global event, hosting 35 countries last year, demonstrating the reach of a virtual platform for connecting the international cleft community.

Virtual Global Cleft Con 2026 will take place October 17. Registration can be found here.

About Smile Train

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children's lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

Media Contact
Emily Gay | Public Relations
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SOURCE Smile Train