Advocacy & Education

October 16th is Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day

October 14, 2024

On October 16^th, LifeGift will proudly celebrate Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness about post-mastectomy breast reconstruction options. The event highlights the importance of education, providing individuals with the information they need to make informed decisions regarding their breast reconstruction journey. This day also serves to honor the many women who have undergone mastectomies and their path toward healing, often made possible through the selflessness of tissue donors.

LifeGift plays a vital role in helping breast cancer survivors regain their sense of wholeness through breast reconstruction. Tissue donation is a critical component in this process, as just one tissue donor can help countless patients in reconstructing their breasts after mastectomy. LifeGift collaborates closely with industry leaders to ensure the highest quality of care and support for individuals needing these services.

A long-time partner in LifeGift’s mission, Axogen specializes in nerve repair, providing innovative solutions to restore sensation after breast reconstruction surgery. By offering nerve grafts and advanced techniques for peripheral nerve repair, Axogen empowers surgeons to restore chest sensation. With a focus on expanding their platform and developing new applications, Axogen is dedicated to addressing clinical challenges and improving patient outcomes in a variety of medical scenarios.

“We are proud to partner with Axogen in providing nerve tissue,” says Emmitt Savannah, LifeGift manager of tissue recovery and research training. “One of the benefits of nerve tissue is that it restores sensation, a critical part of restoring what patients lose in a mastectomy. Doctors are able to reconstruct the breast tissue and can use allograft nerve tissue and reconnect it to the recipient’s nerves using innovative techniques, after which sensation is gradually restored.”

Through its collaboration with Axogen and other tissue partners, LifeGift continues to expand access to life-changing procedures for women facing breast cancer. As we recognize BRA Day, it reaffirms our commitment to supporting survivors on their journey to recovery, driven by the generosity of tissue donors and the expertise of our partners. By working together, LifeGift and its collaborators provide a path toward healing and hope for individuals in need of breast reconstruction.