September 26, 2024 | Ear Community

September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month. The Ear Community Organization proudly works on craniofacial research for our microtia and aural atresia community!

September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month!

This month, take the opportunity to spread awareness for those with cleft and craniofacial differences. In addition to spreading awareness, celebrate the researchers and doctors who are dedicated to craniofacial research, helping make the journey easier for all of us!

Did you know Ear Community works on craniofacial microsomia research for our community? Yep, we do! Here are some pictures of our research team – the CARE Study Team. Learn more about what our research team is doing to help improve upon the caregiver experience and journey for the families who have beautiful children and adults who have craniofacial microsomia!

Link to CARE Study website: https://www.thecarestudy.org/

During this year’s ACPA Conference in Denver, CO, the Federal Legislation known as Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135, was championed by the ACPA Advocacy committee. Ear Community’s Founder, Melissa Tumblin, was able to catch up with lots of friends in the industry including Dr. Siva Chinnadurai of Minnesota Children’s Hospital and Dr. Steven Goudy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Melissa’s daughter, Hailey, also had the opportunity to see Gaten Matarazzo again at the conference! The two last caught up while advocating for legislation that is needed for the community in 2019 with the NIDCR on Capitol Hill (Gaten is the co-Founder of CCD Smiles). It’s always great to see our friends with the CCA and MyFace too – together, our organization’s make an incredible impact for families in the craniofacial community!

Thank you to all of the families in our community who also help out with the surveys we post about! You are all helping give back to our community making it easier for the next family who has a child born with microtia and atresia and craniofacial microsomia (hemifacial microsomia)!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
EarCommunity.org

: Dr. Nicola Stock and Dr. Canice Crerand presenting during the ACPA conference in Denver, 2024.

: Laura Stueckle, Dr. Nicola Stock, Melissa Tumblin and Dr. Carrie Heike at the ACPA conference in Denver, 2024.

: Dr. Alessia Johns presenting at the ACPA Conference in Denver, 2024.

: The ACPA Advocacy Committee, championing and advocating for Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135 for the Ear Community Organization with Melissa Tumblin