Restored is an uplifting art initiative in the form of a hard-cover illustrated book featuring 12 unique stories of brave breast cancer previvors and survivors from different walks of life. The project includes images, life casts, and words from each woman that convey the physical and emotional restoration that breast reconstruction provided for them. Readers will witness how, through artistry and inspiration by renowned photographer Erez Sabag and creative director David Warren, their scars are restored and elevated to become symbols of hope, compassion, and beauty—much like the women themselves.
Made possible by Allergan Aesthetics and created by two of the top plastic surgeons and breast reconstruction experts, Ron Israeli, M.D., and Jonathan Bank, M.D., Restored is now available through www.airsfoundation.org, with a suggested $50 donation. All proceeds from the book will be donated to the nonprofit Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery (AiRS) Foundation, whose mission is to be a resource and a support system for the women who have had mastectomies as a result of breast cancer or BRCA+ genetic mutations, educating them on reconstruction options, and ultimately assisting them with the cost of reconstructive surgery. The AiRS Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization and resource to help increase awareness for reconstructive surgery.
“The generous donation of all proceeds from this visually stunning and impactful book will allow us to broaden our reach and help more women,” says Morgan Hare, who, along with her Eraclea skincare partner Janet Denlinger, M.D., and Rod Rohrich, M.D., founded the AiRS Foundation to ensure that women have access to the resources needed for breast reconstruction.
The inability to afford an insurance co-pay or being uninsured are major factors that prevent women from being able to move forward with reconstruction after a mastectomy. The AiRS Foundation helps women learn about their options, providing resources like doctors, and works in partnership with physicians nationwide to provide the resources necessary to make breast reconstruction an option for women who otherwise would not be able to afford it.
Women who are interested in assistance apply for the grant online through the AiRS website – www.airsfoundation.org. The Foundation accepts applicants who live in the U.S. who can prove they are experiencing extreme financial hardship. Applicants are required to supply medical records and a quote from a breast surgeon/surgical center for the cost of the procedure. Being insured is not a prerequisite, and applicants are notified within 60 days.
