ALLIANCE IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
The AiRS Foundation provides funding for breast reconstructive surgery after mastectomy for women who cannot afford this procedure. Additionally, AiRS advocates, educates and supports all those seeking information and education regarding choices while focusing on low-income populations to ensure that they have information necessary to make an informed decision concerning their personal health care.
About This Cause
The AiRS Foundation works in partnership with physicians in the United States, providing the resources necessary to make this surgery an option for women who would not otherwise have access. Volunteer advocates communicate with providers, seeking the best possible care for clients at their local health care centers and with area providers. Because we are a volunteer driven organization and have surgeons donating or greatly reducing their services and fees, our overhead is very low. Estimated actual cost per patient range is $25,000-$100,000. AiRS individual expenses is less than $5,000 per patient. The number served increased from 7 during 2015 to 31 in 2016. AiRS has three clients in process for possible surgery at this time. Negotiations are in process, but final costs are unknown. 2016 clients are from 19 different states in the US, including Alabama, Wyoming, NYC, California, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey and Texas. With AiRS Foundation based in Dallas, it is anticipated that additional staff will soon be needed in major metropolitan areas to accommodate even more women in need of our services. There are two part-time staff. A full-time Executive Director is needed when funding is available. Additional fees for women seeking breast reconstruction surgery include the hospital or surgical facility costs, anesthesia fees, prescriptions for medication, post-surgery garments, breast implants, breast expanders, areola tattoos, medical tests, and X-rays. This is just a partial list of additional expenses often not covered by insurance and insurmountable for low-income women. Just the stress and life-altering emotions connected with breast cancer can be over-whelming, without the additional stress of trying to maneuver through the health care system, figuring out what is necessary when, and then knowing there is no possible way to pay for anything because that $200 might buy groceries. These are the fees and expenses AiRS covers. No money is given directly to any client of AiRS. Reconstructive surgery procedure is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, although there is sometimes a co-pay and deductibles. That out-of-pocket charge may be a stumbling block for low-income women. "The cost of mastectomy has remained stable," Hershman said of the last decade. "But the cost of reconstruction has increased nearly threefold over this decade." AiRS Foundation has generated awareness, advocated for women in need, successfully contacted top notch surgeons to consult with clients, built a professional network, and developed a well-respected board. Because of the increase in our public presence through additional social media, events, and other PR, as well as new referrals from the American Cancer Society, inquiries have increased exponentially and our resources are limited. With genetic testing now readily available, surgery requests will probably increase, not only for those who can afford it but also for those who are informed of options, are low-income, but seek this life-saving surgery. AiRS plans to educate under-served women in all areas of breast care and breast cancer options for prevention and recovery. AiRS Foundation will continue to grow and serve women, and men, in need of education, advocacy and financial support as they navigate confusing processes, while facing a life-altering event, to help them feel whole again.