Mission Plasticos, a 501-c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing reconstructive surgical care to those in medically underserved communities around the globe, announces the launch of Reshaping Lives America, a nationwide program aimed at providing reconstructive surgical care at no cost to people living in poverty in the United States.

The program, which will initially focus on post-mastectomy breast reconstructive surgery patients, is being funded through a $1 million donation from Sientra Inc, a medical aesthetics company focused on plastic surgery.

Sientra President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Menezes will serve as the Chairman of the newly formed Reshaping Lives America Corporate Council, the funding arm of the program, a media release from Mission Plasticos explains.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of Reshaping Lives America, which will bring life-changing reconstructive surgery to patients in need across America. Sixty percent of US women with breast cancer who live below the poverty line are inadequately insured and may not have access to breast reconstructive surgery, despite reconstruction being considered the standard of care in breast cancer recovery. We are extremely grateful for Sientra’s generous donation of $1 million over the next 4 years, which will significantly expand our services.”

— Susan Williamson, Executive Director of Mission Plasticos

Expands Reshaping Lives California Program

The program is an expansion of Reshaping Lives California, a pilot program created in 2016 by Mission Plasticos to provide reconstructive surgical care from board-certified volunteer surgeons to California patients in need, at no cost. To date, over 1,000 patients have received life-changing care through the Reshaping Lives California program.

“We have been longtime supporters of Mission Plasticos and are excited to deepen our commitment to the organization. Funding Reshaping Lives America will help fill serious health disparity gaps for women living in poverty with breast cancer who do not have access to a full journey of care, including breast reconstructive surgery.

“As Chairman of the newly formed Reshaping Lives America Corporate Council, I look forward to working with the Mission Plasticos team and welcoming other Corporate Council members to support this crucial initiative.”

— Sientra President and CEO, Ron Menezes

[Source(s): Mission Plasticos, PR Newswire]