Medical Conferences
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AORN
March 05 - April 08, 2025
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AAOS
March 10 - 14, 2025
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Advanced Reconstructive Surgery Alliance Summit
March 13 - 14, 2025
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LA-Multi-Specialty Cosmetic Academy Meeting
March 13 - 16, 2025
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Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Workshop
March 15, 2025
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Learn About BRA Day
National Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day is an initiative designed to promote education, awareness, and access to information regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. All breast cancer survivors are incredibly brave and have unique journeys, but BRA Day is a way to let them know they are not alone. Informing women of their reconstruction options is critically important to improving life after breast cancer. Research shows that less than a quarter of women receive necessary information about their breast reconstruction options at the time of their mastectomy, and BRA Day aims to change that!
MTF Biologics is proud to have celebrated BRA Day since its inaugural in 2012 and through our BRAve Women campaign. BRAve highlights the stories of hope shared by women who have chosen breast reconstruction following mastectomy and shines a spotlight on how tissue donation helps change lives and reduce the effect of mastectomies on breast cancer survivors. Donated skin grafts have improved breast reconstruction outcomes for thousands of women across the U.S.
To learn more about BRA Day and breast reconstruction options, go to www.breastreconusa.org. You will find information about breast reconstruction procedures and 2022 BRA Day events across the U.S.
Watch Our BRA Day Video
BRA Day Resources & Materials
MTF Biologics has prepared resources to help spread awareness about BRA Day and how tissue donation helps women with their healing and recovery following breast cancer surgery. Please get in touch with Lauralee_Brown@mtf.org for customization requests.
Resources for Social Media Posts
BRAve Stories of Hope
Read about the life-changing tissue transplantation stories of women and their BRAve spirit.
Dr. Angela Rodi
Though her mother had advised her to get tested, young Angela wouldn’t fully understand the need to get tested for several years. “I was in medical school when I really started to meet breast and ovarian cancer patients and see firsthand the importance of getting tested,” Angela shared. “I figured I would test and get it out of the way.” Surprisingly, the results revealed that she was positive for the BRCA gene only months before her wedding and the start of her OB-GYN residency.
Focused on her career and home life, years went by before Angela finally decided to have a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction after finding a lump in her breast. Though she was nervous about her surgery, Angela remembered the story of a diagnosed friend and the success of her mother’s surgeries and knew it was the best decision. “My friend and patients never had a chance to prevent their cancer, but I did.” she explained. “It felt empowering to take charge of my health and womanhood.”
Before her surgery, her surgeon informed Angela that donated skin grafts would be used to aid a fast recovery and satisfying results. “I was shocked at how comfortable and happy I was,” Angela recalled. “I’m glad I made that decision.”
Today, Angela feels forever indebted to her donor family for their generosity and sacrifice. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she continues to do the things she loves, like biking, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her husband and blue heeler, Zep. As a physician, registered donor, and genetic counseling advocate, Angela encourages everyone to get tested and consider becoming donors. “I am beyond humbled to have received such a generous gift,” Angela wrote to her donor family. “Know that I will keep you and your loved one in my heart, and that your family member lives on.”
Video Stories
Watch and share three inspiring and motivational stories of BRAve women who are also recipients of donated skin grafts.
Delfina's Story
Mary's Story
Naheima & Sally
Simone's Story
Sue's Story
Download videos here. For co-branding, please contact Lauralee_Brown@mtf.org.
BRAve Women and BRAve Heroes Tributes
Honor our heroes by posting a message to our Tribute Wall. This could be a BRAve Woman – a woman affected by breast cancer and may refer to herself as a warrior, survivor, or just touched by the disease in some way. You can also honor a BRAve Hero - a donor who has made transplantation possible for the 1.75 million recipients who are beneficiaries of tissue grafts each year.
Submit your tribute using the form below!
Dr. Angela Rodi
Though her mother had advised her to get tested, young Angela wouldn’t fully understand the need to get tested for several years. “I was in medical school when I really started to meet breast and ovarian cancer patients and see firsthand the importance of getting tested,” Angela shared. “I figured I would test and get it out of the way.” Surprisingly, the results revealed that she was positive for the BRCA gene only months before her wedding and the start of her OB-GYN residency.
Focused on her career and home life, years went by before Angela finally decided to have a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction after finding a lump in her breast. Though she was nervous about her surgery, Angela remembered the story of a diagnosed friend and the success of her mother’s surgeries and knew it was the best decision. “My friend and patients never had a chance to prevent their cancer, but I did.” she explained. “It felt empowering to take charge of my health and womanhood.”
Before her surgery, her surgeon informed Angela that donated skin grafts would be used to aid a fast recovery and satisfying results. “I was shocked at how comfortable and happy I was,” Angela recalled. “I’m glad I made that decision.”
Today, Angela feels forever indebted to her donor family for their generosity and sacrifice. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she continues to do the things she loves, like biking, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her husband and blue heeler, Zep. As a physician, registered donor, and genetic counseling advocate, Angela encourages everyone to get tested and consider becoming donors. “I am beyond humbled to have received such a generous gift,” Angela wrote to her donor family. “Know that I will keep you and your loved one in my heart, and that your family member lives on.”
Meet Ellie's Belle BRAve Donate Life Doll
Meet Ellie's Belle, the Donate Life doll, a doll pendant necklace to support Donate Life and honor breast cancer survivors and recipients of the gift of skin donation through breast reconstruction surgery. She is radiant in her white logo tank with blue jeans and bright pink boots, rhinestone bracelets, breast cancer awareness hope charms in her hand, a pink crystal necklace, and cap atop her white glass pearl head. Silver finish body and chain.
For each Donate Life doll purchase, Ellie's Belles will donate $2 to Donate Life America, the national non-profit organization committed to increasing the number of donated organs, eyes, and tissues available to save and heal lives through transplantation. Each Ellie's Belle is lovingly handcrafted and unique in design. Ellie's Belles dolls are created by Loren Martz.
Pink Day Contest
Send in your best PINK photo to celebrate BRA Day through October 21st and earn a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card. See contest information and enter your photo here.
Join the Conversation on Social Media!
MTF Biologics is a registered trademark of the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation.
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