You inspire us to innovate and educate

By Gayle Gordillo, MD The PSF President

Although The Plastic Surgery Foundation is known primarily as the “research wing” of ASPS, I’m often reminded of its philanthropic role, giving back to both communities and patients – and that is most often made clear through The PSF’s continued efforts supporting Breast Reconstruction Awareness events.

From fundraising luncheons held in multiple cities throughout the United States to the money we provide to organizations doing their part to support breast reconstruction advocacy around the country, to our annual Close the Loop 5K and countless events held in celebration of Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, we strive not only to educate patients about their options following a breast cancer diagnosis, but also to enable some of those patients to receive the reconstructive surgery they might not otherwise be able to access or afford. Since 2013, The PSF has awarded more than $780,000 in charitable care grants and more than $936,000 in public awareness grants – both of which are tied specifically to breast reconstruction awareness.

Within our specialty, plastic surgeons often allude to their given mission of restoring form and function – or making people whole again. Over the course of my years in practice and organizational leadership, I’ve seen countless instances of the tight bond formed between a plastic surgeon and patient, but what strikes me time and again are the local events held in support of Breast Reconstruction Awareness – whether it’s fashion shows, cookouts, races, galas or any number of creative ideas our doctors and patients realize. It’s always rewarding to see the sisterhood forged through breast cancer journeys and the doctor-patient relationships fostered through these experiences that last years after the surgery is complete.

Statistics show that about 13 percent of women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime and in 2021, an estimated 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States alone (adding to a total of 3.8 million women in the country who have a history of breast cancer). Of course, the prevalence of breast cancer isn’t a domestic phenomenon – breast cancer became the most common cancer globally as of 2021, accounting of 12 percent of all new annual cancer cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. As such, our educational efforts stretch beyond U.S. borders and continue to grow each year. Last year, more than 311 affiliates participated in raising awareness around the globe.

More information on our fundraising and educational efforts can be found online at breastreconusa.org. As we approach a decade of the work done through the Breast Reconstruction Awareness campaign, it’s humbling to see how much the effort has grown and hear the stories of the lives affected by this work. Every year, PSN’s Breast Reconstruction supplement shares stories of courage, hope and inspiration and this year’s edition adds to that lineage. The message to patients who have been stunned by a breast cancer diagnosis is simple: You are not alone. There are options and there are many who have been in your shoes as you take the first steps on a seismic personal journey. There are incredible plastic surgeons in every state ready and willing to help you. You are our inspiration – and our efforts will not stop.