Share Your Smile: Archer Family
The Archer family has signed up for the second annual Cleft Smiles 5k! Jason and Julie Archer, with their children Allyson, 14, and Cameron, 13, will tighten up their laces this Saturday in support of the cleft community and to raise money for Operation Smile, an international medical charity that provides free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.
The cause is close to the hearts of everyone in the Archer family. “We have 13 family members that have been born with some variation of cleft lip and/or palate due to a genetic condition called Van der Woudes syndrome,” says Julie. Her children have collectively undergone 14 surgeries so far. “We are very thankful for the love and support of our family, the cleft community, and the cleft team at Texas Children’s Hospital that have taken such good care of our children,” she says.
The family keeps busy with school activities– Allyson plays bass clarinet in the Oak Ridge High School band, and Cameron plays baseball and percussion in the Irons Jr. High School band. They also stay active throughout the year by participating in charity 5ks. The family volunteered during race day activities last year and will do so again for the 2016 Cleft Smiles 5k!
Competitive runners, look out this Saturday: Allyson and Cameron placed very well in last year’s run, and they’re looking to beat their times this year!
