Pittsburgh Artists Find Creative Way to Raise Awareness of Breast Reconstruction for Mastectomy Patients
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 10, 2012 - Some of Pittsburgh’s favorite artists, whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, will help to call attention to the benefits of breast reconstruction for mastectomy patients at Pittsburgh’s inaugural Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day event on Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mattress Factory Art Museum on the North Side.
Hosted by
UPMC’s
Department of Plastic Surgery, BRA Day will give guests the chance to view and bid on mannequin busts creatively designed by the artists, including Laura Jean McLaughlin, Dana Dolney, Katy Dement and Sandy Kessler.
“Women who have undergone breast reconstruction post mastectomy have cited the many important benefits of the surgery including a restored feeling of wholeness and femininity. Despite the overwhelmingly positive experiences with the surgery outcomes, only a small percentage of women choose reconstructive surgery,” said
Carolyn De La Cruz, M.D., assistant professor of plastic surgery at UPMC. “We are hoping that by raising awareness of reconstruction, more women will explore the options available to them.”
Pittsburgh’s event is part of a national effort by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to raise awareness of reconstructive options.
Tickets to the event are $50, and proceeds will be used to raise awareness and promote education. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the museum will be open to guests. To RSVP, call (412) 647-8461 or email
hcynthia@pmhsf.org.
Sponsors of the event include the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF), Allergan Inc., Mentor Worldwide LLC, Tamari North Inc., Bar Marco, White Diamond Vodka, Sean Gray International, All Occasions Party Rental, and Pittsburgh Valet.