My Hope Chest Provides Reconstruction for Under- and Uninsured Women

Nonprofit My Hope Chest, founded in 2003, is the ONLY national 501c3 organization funding reconstructive surgery for uninsured and under insured breast cancer survivors. The program helps survivors that lack financial means or insurance “co-pays” afford the surgery by matching them with surgeons that donate or discount their fees for the charity.

Celebrity Spokesperson Ruth Connell from Supernatural is championing the important mission too. “Reconstruction is such a huge part of the healing process for survivors. It's so important to provide a way for these women to feel whole once more following their life-saving surgery if they choose to. So painful to think of women denied the choice because of finance and insurance issues.”

According to the American Society of plastic surgeons, nearly 100,000 women had mastectomies to save their lives in 2011. The exact number of survivors who can't afford high co-pays for breast reconstruction is a big unknown. What is known, however, is My Hope Chest's wait list continues to grow nationwide.

“We ALL hope to find a cure for breast cancer,” said Alisa Savoretti, My Hope Chest’s founder. “We have to address the issue that a huge population of breastless survivors need our help NOW! Women that made a gut wrenching decision to choose life over limb live with emotional and physical scars and a daily reminder of their disease. Applicants tell us they feel less than whole, unable to heal and move past their cancer journey. They are desperate.”

FACTS:

  • Breast reconstruction surgery is complicated. It is a series of 3 surgeries that span approximately 1 year.
  • Costs vary from a cash pay rate of $25,000 to more complicated reconstructions, billing insurance upwards of $200,000.
  • In 2011, there were 96,277 life-saving mastectomies recorded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. My Hope Chest believes many more would have reconstructive surgery if they could find a way, but they’re not aware there is help.
  • In addition to funding surgery, My Hope Chest provides educational resources on breast reconstruction options.

My Hope Chest’s mission focuses on the Celebration of Life and the back end of the disease. The charity deems October breast cancer ACTION month, noting breast cancer awareness is not a cause or formal charity. The organization fights to be heard in a sea of pink ribbons and to continue to be the solution for survivors, restoring self esteem, dignity and making them feel whole again.

“It’s simple. Research, education and awareness of the disease are covered by many, but women still live without their breasts in America; it shouldn’t be,” stated Savoretti. “My Hope Chest greatly needs money directed to our mission and invites interested parties to contact us.”

PEOPLE Magazine recently acknowledged the important work that My Hope Chest is doing for breast cancer survivors. See the story at http://people.com/human-interest/former-vegas-showgirl-devotes-her-life-to-making-women-whole-again-after-losing-a-breast-to-cancer.

About My Hope Chest:

My Hope Chest introduced The "official" Breast Reconstruction Awareness Ribbon in 2012. The colors represent pink for breast cancer, transitioning into white the color of wellness and healing and then to Yellow, representing sunshine and the New Beginnings for breast cancer survivors. More info at 727-642-4243 or http://www.myhopechest.org.

Three Girls Media, Inc.408-218-2391Emily Sidley, EmilySidley@ThreeGirlsMedia.comorDanielle Winski, DanielleWinski@ThreeGirlsMedia.com