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.
Kristina Cardoso
When genetic testing became available, Kristina and her sisters knew that they needed to get tested. She was guilt-ridden when the only test that came back negative was hers. One by one, her sisters went through double mastectomies and breast reconstructions. Despite being negative for the gene, Kristina felt uneasy. After she had her fourth child, Kristina decided to listen to her gut. She was not going to take any chances with the disease that had caused so much turmoil in her life. She wanted a double mastectomy.
Kristina had her mastectomy in May of 2017. She was relieved that she was cutting down her chances of getting breast cancer by almost one hundred percent. Kristina allowed MTF to video her procedure. It was at that time that she learned that donor tissue would be used with her procedure. “I feel so honored that they wanted to film my procedure. I hope the video and my story will allow donor families to witness how the gift of tissue donation is used to help women who are faced with making a decision to have a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. There are really no words for the generosity of my donor’s family. Thank you for such an amazing gift."
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!
Kristina Cardoso
When genetic testing became available, Kristina and her sisters knew that they needed to get tested. She was guilt-ridden when the only test that came back negative was hers. One by one, her sisters went through double mastectomies and breast reconstructions. Despite being negative for the gene, Kristina felt uneasy. After she had her fourth child, Kristina decided to listen to her gut. She was not going to take any chances with the disease that had caused so much turmoil in her life. She wanted a double mastectomy.
Kristina had her mastectomy in May of 2017. She was relieved that she was cutting down her chances of getting breast cancer by almost one hundred percent. Kristina allowed MTF to video her procedure. It was at that time that she learned that donor tissue would be used with her procedure. “I feel so honored that they wanted to film my procedure. I hope the video and my story will allow donor families to witness how the gift of tissue donation is used to help women who are faced with making a decision to have a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. There are really no words for the generosity of my donor’s family. Thank you for such an amazing gift."
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!
Leave a comment