Breast Cancer Survivor Gets a Holiday Gift of a Lifetime

My Hope Chest is proud to announce a survivors dream of reconstructive surgery come true with their latest recipient, Carleen Hobbs.

Carleen was diagnosed with stage 3, grade 3 breast cancer at age 30 while being seven months pregnant with her fifth child.  Not only did she have her own uncertain future, she had to think about her unborn as well.  On December 15th, her dream will come true as she will travel from her isolated small town of Nome, Alaska (population 3,788) to a Seattle area hospital for surgery with Dr. Jan Zemplenyi.

“I thank God every day of my life and that I get to continue a while longer as a wife and Mommy,” Carleen states.  Prosthetics make her back ache as she is constantly shielding her breastbone from the lively hugs she loves so much.  “I am so grateful to be alive and I can live as I am. I also grieve so often, it’s like two sides of a coin.  It would be nice to wear lingerie and pretty bras and no longer be the only breastless woman at Zumba.”

Founder and CEO of My Hope Chest, Alisa Savoretti (herself a cancer survivor) said, “That an estimated 22,000 women a year lose their breasts and are uninsured or under insured.  The good news today…there is hope for survivors who have no insurance.  My Hope Chest has changed lives and is diligent to continue our mission to heal more survivors every year.”

Dr. Jan Zemplewnyi has provided the highest level of care in cosmetic surgery since 1989.  With years of specialty and sub-specialty training, he is triple-board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Dr. Zemplenyi maintains active privileges at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington.

For more information or to donate:

Please visit https://www.myhopechest.org/ or call (727) 488-0320.

About My Hope Chest: 

Established in 2003, My Hope Chest is the only national 501c3 social service organization focused on reconstructive surgery for uninsured and under insured breast cancer survivors. We are moved to ACT and our goal is to heal and provide closure to the breast cancer journey. By enabling those who desire reconstruction to have it, My Hope Chest works to help all survivors return to a “new” normal with feelings of hope, self-worth and completeness. For more information about My Hope Chest please visit www.myhopechest.org.

Source: My Hope Chest

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