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Nick Zalud
2nd Annual BRA Day
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Nick Zalud
Dr. Camille Cash, Rita King, Wanda Johnson, Deborah Duncan, Michelle Stephenson, Angie Kauffman, Dr. Jamie Terry
Dillard’s in Houston’s Galleria and Westside Surgical Hospital & Breast Center generously hosted the 2nd Annual BRA Day on October 16, 2015 to support Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA).
Shoppers flocked to the Galleria department store to make purchases benefiting the Reconstruction of a Survivor program. Ten percent of all purchases were donated to help support the program’s mission to improve the lives of those impacted by breast cancer through valuable local support groups.
Shoppers were greeted by Deborah Duncan of KHOU’s Great Day Houston, master of ceremonies, and treated to complimentary bra fittings, massages, makeup applications, refreshments and door prizes.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Camille Cash and Breast Surgical Specialist Dr. Jamie Terry educated shoppers and survivors about surgical options for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. They also answered questions on topics ranging from screening guidelines to risk factors. Both encouraged the women in the audience to take charge of their health concerns, meet with their physicians regularly and—for those 40 years or older—to ask about advanced screening, such as the 3D mammography found at Westside Surgical Hospital and Breast Center.
In addition to hearing from the physicians, the audience also heard from Reconstruction of a Survivor’s program coordinator, Wanda Johnson, and Michelle Stephenson, a patient member, who each spoke about their personal journeys and how the organization is helping women.
Since the designation of national BRA day in October 2011, more and more patients, caregivers and physicians are becoming aware of the surgical choices for breast cancer survivors. Fewer than 25 percent of survivors pursue reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy.
Events like BRA day are an effort to help empower women to make informed choices about their options. The event was sponsored in part by Brave is Beautiful, a free educational portal that connects women with information and resources on reconstructive surgical procedures.