Florida native and My Hope Chest founder Alisa Savoretti was taking a break from her professional dance career to start an e-commerce business when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38. Uninsured, she was grateful to have the cost of chemotherapy and a mastectomy covered by local social services organizations – but devastated that there were no funds allocated for reconstruction surgery. She soon learned that while dozens of charities advocate for breast cancer awareness and screening, not one provided financial assistance with reconstruction.
She returned to the Las Vegas stage with one breast, jokingly referring to herself as the “lopsided show girl,” and had to wait three years for reconstruction. Alisa says that while losing her breast changed her life, having it back felt equally life changing. “I realized how my own self-esteem, confidence, and self worth as a woman returned when I could look in the mirror and see my whole physical being once again. It was my healing, a restoration in body, mind and spirit.”
The emotional journey led her to start a charity specifically dedicated to this unanswered need. With the help of members of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), My Hope Chest was formed, then became a 501c3 in 2003, and remains the only national breast reconstruction organization focused on helping uninsured and under insured women heal completely.
After living in many different countries, the Seminole resident returned to her Florida roots and chose Tampa as their headquarters. She says it has been the tremendous Greater Tampa Bay area community support that has made it possible to provide help to so many women throughout the 12-18 month costly reconstruction process.
As she looks ahead to My Hope Chest’s twentieth anniversary next year, Alisa is seeking passionate and dedicated executive leaders to serve on a National Advisory Board to help further their mission.
Area residents interested in supporting the cause can register for their upcoming Tee for Two Charity Golf Classic at Top Golf on November 10. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
In addition, from now through November 15, the non-profit is launching their 10th Annual Hope Floats for My Hope Chest campaign where any individual, civic group or corporation can host a fundraiser in honor of the official Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day “BRA DAY” on October 19. Contact [email protected] or follow them on Instagram or Facebook to learn more.
By Jennifer Kennedy
