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In the late 1960's, FACES: The National Craniofacial Association began as the Debbie Fox Foundation. Debbie, a young girl from Soddy Daisy, TN, was born in 1955 with a facial cleft. 

 

Debbie saw many doctors and surgeons, but in 1969 Dr. Milton Edgerton, a surgeon at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Medical Center, agreed to build a face for Debbie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie's teacher Madge Apple started the foundation to help pay for Debbie's travel expenses to Baltimore. In her memoir, Debbie said, "Much later, Mrs. Apple told me that she pushed me and drove me so hard because she knew, even then, that I had a future." Madge Apple proved the impact that a teacher could have in her student's life. 

 

Debbie truly believed in her life's purpose:"Whatever path I choose, I know that God would want me to serve and give to others..." The foundation created on Debbie's behalf grew, underwent a few name changes, and began to benefit children and adults from all over the United States. In 1997 the organization officially became FACES: The National Craniofacial Association. 

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