Craniofacial Acceptance Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, craniofacial differences are structural or physical anomalies to the head and/or face that can be mild or severe depending on what parts of the skull are affected; and

WHEREAS, certain groups of symptoms are classified as syndromes, and the most well-known syndrome is cleft lip which is seen in over 185,000 births a year worldwide; and

WHEREAS, many children are born with dozens of additional facial differences including Apert syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, facial palsy, and craniosynostosis which is seen in over 1,500 births a year in the United States alone; and

WHEREAS, due to the complexity of craniofacial syndromes, most affected individuals will often endure multiple surgeries before they reach adulthood; and

WHEREAS, individuals with craniofacial differences and their families often struggle to understand the diagnosis 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, Craniofacial Acceptance Month brings awareness to the thousands of children born each year in the United States who are either born with or develop a craniofacial difference and educates the public about individuals with facial differences;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 2023, as CRANIOFACIAL ACCEPTANCE MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA and call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations