One-of-a-Kind Nonprofit Makes Breast Cancer Survivors Whole Again
October 25 2016 - 5:00AM
Business Wire
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.
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Three Girls Media, Inc.408-218-2391Emily Sidley,
EmilySidley@ThreeGirlsMedia.comorDanielle Winski,
DanielleWinski@ThreeGirlsMedia.com