Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 10-16-15 Edition

Features
One-Of-A-Kind Nonprofit Makes Breast Cancer Survivors Whole Again
A nonprofit organization founded in 2003 is the only national 501c3 that provides funding for reconstructive surgery. The funding is ear- marked for uninsured and underinsured breast cancer survivors.
My Hope Chest founded helps survivors that lack fi- nancial means or insurance “co-pays” afford the surgery by matching them with sur- geons that donate or discount their fees for the charity.
Ms. Alisa Savoretti,
founder of My Hopoe Chest said only 20%-40% of women who undergo mastectomy elect to have reconstruction. Hundreds of hopefuls among the remaining 60-80% sit on My Hope Chest’s growing wait list. The founder of the organization feels the recon- structive surgery is part of the healing process because it re- stores body, mind and spirit.
“We all hope to find a cure for breast cancer. We have to address the issue that a huge number of survivors need 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.”
Facts about breast cancer reconstruction:
It is a series of 3 surgeries
that span approximately 1 year.
Costs vary from a cash pay rate of $25,000 to more com- plicated reconstructions, billing insurance upwards of $200,000.
In 2011, there were 96,277 life-saving mastectomies recorded by the American So- ciety of Plastic Surgeons. My Hope Chest believes many more would have reconstruc- tive surgery if they could find a way, but they’re not aware there is help.
In addition to funding sur- gery, My Hope Chest provides education on reconstruction.
The mission of My Hope Chest is to focus on the Cele- bration of Life and the back end of the disease! The char- ity deems October Breast Cancer ACTION month, not- ing breast cancer awareness is not a cause or formal char- ity.
“It’s simple. Research, ed- ucation and awareness of the disease are covered by many, but women still live without their breasts in America,” she said.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the organization or who would like to make a donation can contact My Hope Chest at (727) 642-4243 or http://www.myhopech- est.org.
TV Critic Eric Deggans To Speak At Griot Drum Banquet
Eric Deggans, National Public Radio’s TV critic, will be the keynote speaker at the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists’ Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Ban- quet on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 N. Westshore Blvd.
The annual banquet rec- ognizes the region’s best media coverage of people of color. The Tampa Bay Associ- ation of Black Journalists (TBABJ) also will award col- lege scholarships to students studying journalism.
The 6 p. m. cocktail hour will showcase works by local photographers. Dinner and the awards ceremony will begin at 7 p. m. Rod Carter, an anchor with WFLA News Channel 8 and TBABJ’s vice president of broadcast, will be the emcee.
Deggans, former TV and media critic for the Tampa Bay Times, became the first full-time media critic for NPR in 2013. Deggans also is a
ERIC DEGGANS ...Guest Speaker
former president of TBABJ. A journalist for more than 20 years, he also is the author of Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation, a look at how prejudice, racism and sexism fuels some ele-
ments of modern media. Deggans has been a pun- dit or essayist for numerous national media outlets. His national appearances include co-host of CNN's media
analysis show Reliable Sources.
A longtime member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Deggans is a re- cipient of its Arts & Entertain- ment Task Force Legacy Award, an honor bestowed upon seasoned arts and enter- tainment journalists who are at the top of their careers. Deggans also serves on the board of educators, journal- ists and media experts who select the George Foster Peabody Awards for excel- lence in electronic media.
Griot Drum sponsors are: Helios Education Foundation, Moffitt Cancer Center, Nielsen, Tampa Bay Times, United Way Suncoast, Vistra Communications and WFLA News Channel 8.
Tickets can be purchased now using TBABJ’s secure PayPal feature on its website at www.tbabj.com.
ROD CARTER ...Program Emcee
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015