Stony Brook student goes to Mexico to see ‘Smile Train’ surgeries she helped fund

A Stony Brook University student who turned her family’s own difficult experience into a mission traveled to Mexico earlier this month to witness the impact of her work — meeting children whose cleft surgeries she helped make possible.

Alexandra Hanley joined Smile Train’s “Journey of Smiles” program on a four-day trip to see the nonprofit’s cleft-repair surgeries in action. It marked a milestone in a fundraising journey that began long before the Cape Canaveral, Florida, native arrived on campus.

Hanley’s uncle was born with a cleft and endured seven surgeries attempting to correct it. Despite the procedures, he faced relentless bullying that took a lasting toll on his mental health.

Hanley’s mom spent years fighting alongside him — defending him and making sure he felt loved.

She sold merchandise, distributed pamphlets and ran raffles featuring gift baskets donated by local businesses. She routinely cleared $100 per event.

When she arrived at Stony Brook, she kept going, joining the Smile Impact Society, Smile Train’s college ambassador program.

For Hanley, spreading the word about Smile Train is as important as the fundraising.

“Sometimes you can get caught up thinking, ‘I didn’t raise the amount that I wanted to,'” she said. “Take a step back and think, ‘Oh, I did let a lot of people know about what the organization does.’ Sometimes that’s even more important than the monetary donation.”

“Philanthropy is super important to me, so I want to be able to do that work with Smile Train,” she said.

_{Top: Stony Brook University student Alexandra Hanley (inset and far right; photos courtesy of Smile Train).}