Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, the Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA) began celebrating Craniofacial Acceptance Month in 2005 to bring awareness to children in the United States who are either born with or develop a craniofacial difference, which is a condition of the head and/or face; and

WHEREAS, individuals with craniofacial differences and their families often struggle to understand what they are facing and how to move forward in their early stages of life; and

WHEREAS, families are often under emotional and financial strain due to demands resulting from ongoing and expensive medical treatment; and

WHEREAS, there is a lack of education and information disseminated to the general public about individuals with facial differences; and

WHEREAS, organizations such as Children’s Craniofacial Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serve populations affected by craniofacial differences and the professionals who care for them; and

WHEREAS, these organization give hope and empower individuals and families affected by these facial differences, while working towards the vision of a world where all people are accepted for who they are, not how they look; and

WHEREAS, Children’s Craniofacial Association has designated September of 2019 as the 15^th year of “Craniofacial Acceptance Month,” recognizing “Beyond the Face is a Heart;”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize September 2019 as CRANIOFACIAL ACCEPTANCE MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.