National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, or BRA Day, is October 16, 2013 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
BRA Day promotes awareness and education about post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. Jewel, the singer and songwriter, is the national spokesperson for BRA Day and has written a song to benefit patients, “Flower.”
Many women do not know of the various options regarding breast reconstruction, which is a topic that isn’t discussed as much as breast cancer is. Studies have shown that less than a quarter of women know the options they have in breast reconstruction, and even fewer know about the proper timing of cancer treatment and reconstruction surgery and the variability in outcomes.
BRA Day USA supporters help spread awareness of breast cancer treatment and the plastic surgeon’s role in breast reconstruction. Supporters help educate about surgery and financing options. The goal is a broader understanding of the options available to women after mastectomy.
If you would like to start BRA Day event in your area, there is no fee, and you will have a free BRA Day Starter Guide and Marketing/PR Toolkit to help you plan your BRA Day activities. The only limit is your imagination.
Examples of past BRA Day events include:
- Art contests
- Seminars or panels by plastic surgeons and insurance agents
- Flash mob
- Fundraising events and raffles to support the BRA Fund
- A “Show and Tell” event in which women can see what live breast reconstruction looks like
To learn more about BRA Day, visit http://www.bradayusa.org/, and watch our website (or sign up for our newsletter) for more information about how we plan to commemorate the day here in Charleston!
