There is no greater gift one can give to another than the gift of their time. We thank the following individuals and are very fortunate for their time and support to our great cause, selflessly helping the thousands of women and breast cancer survivors counting on us to succeed in this crusade.
Alisa Savoretti
Survivor, Founder and CEO
Life is what happens after you make the “master plan”…
About Me
I grew up as the daughter of a plumber and housewife, living on the water in Florida in a 900sf home with 3 generations. I had a loving family and a great childhood and I had been give a gift… I began to dance and studied tap, jazz and ballet every week from the age of 4 until college, dance was my first love. So after a brief tenure at college, I left school to pursue my career as a professional dancer and spent the next two decades traveling the world doing what I loved. I felt very blessed.
An entrepreneur by nature, I took a leave of absence several times during my dance career to pursue my interests in business. I had dreams for the next decades and I had a plan. I had been working diligently on a business of my own for nearly 2 years when, upon its launch, at the end of 2001, I found my lump and everything changed.
Following the cancer diagnosis in January of 2002, I had a mastectomy and 8 rounds of chemo. As I was uninsured, I thank our county social service program which saved my life. After reaching out to all the “pink ribbon” charities both locally and nationally to seek funding to have my breast restored, I learned there was no organization in place for the uninsured mastectomy survivor to get this “final step of treatment”.
As a result, I was forced to go back to work as a professional dancer, 5 months post chemo, this time however, minus one breast. I learned I was not alone so I called myself the “Lop Sided Showgirl” to bring attention to the media and issue. I spent nearly 3 years without my breast as a young, single woman and it was devastating, mentally and physically so I became motivated to help others who shared this horrible predicament. Although breast cancer is the most heavily funded cause in America, I have dedicated the last 8 years of my life to a cause that people are just learning about.
Nearly 6200 women a year, lose their breasts and are uninsured… Our referrals come from the largest breast cancer charities in the world that do not fund this step of treatment. This epidemic can no longer fly in the shadows … By default you are now one of our “Angels”. We ask and appreciate your voice and support in action and dollars.
Since our beginning, My Hope Chest has changed lives, but just not enough for me yet. As our wait list grows, my only true reward is crossing a woman’s name off the list; I want us to help more survivors move past this disease every year.
Beyond facilitating surgeries, our goal in 2011 is to progress beyond the grassroots level and thrive as an organization . This isn’t about me or for me… but for you, your family and friends, wives, mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters who hopefully won’t need our service but will be able to benefit from it if they do. I hope you will help me help others by getting involved in dollars and or actions.
Until there is a cure for the disease, our services will always be needed.
One day, My Hope Chest will have a chapter in every city in America, helping individuals in your communities. I and My Hope Chest have my Father George to thank for instilling the sense of service in my genes and my mother Betty, for supporting me and MHC morally and financially all of these years so I can continue to work on this project. Mom is a 3 time cancer survivor this year, a warrior and the most wonderful, self-less person I know. God bless her and you all.
Sandra Pitman - Treasure
I’ve been working as a bookkeeper for over twenty years and incorporated my business, CRS Direction Services, Inc. in 2000. I became interested in specializing in non-profits after being diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2001.
I met Alisa through my involvement in organizations that supported breast cancer patients. When she founded My Hope Chest, I saw it as an opportunity to really get involved in a very worthwhile cause, especially since I was one of those uninsured breast cancer patients, myself. I have been cancer free for 8 years and I am glad to provide my services to My Hope Chest so that we may help those women that are facing what I faced. I’ve been in Florida since 1976. My Father is still living and my two sons; their families, my siblings, nieces & nephews celebrated his 90th birthday with him this past September. Family is very important to me, as is helping others.
Treesha Morris – Secretary
Treesha has over 30 years experience in purchasing, marketing, distribution and sales of consumer products and is an active member and ambassador for The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. She is also a breast cancer survivor who has undergone reconstructive surgery 7 years ago. Because of this she felt an instant connection to the organization and knew she had to be a part of My Hope Chest in some way.
Dr. William A. Zamboni, M.D., FACS ~ Medical Advisor
William A. Zamboni, M.D., joined the University of Nevada School of Medicine in July 1994, as Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery.He has chosen to concentrate his efforts in cosmetic surgery, microsurgery, hand surgery, breast surgery and general reconstruction. He received his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in 1984. During Medical School, he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, an honorary medical society which recognized outstanding achievement and was chosen the Outstanding Student in Clinical Surgery.He then completed his general surgery (1984 – 1989) and plastic and reconstructive surgery (1989 – 1991) residency training at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. During residency, he received the Robert J. Patton Award from the Illinois Chapter of the American College of Surgeons for four years, beginning in 1986 and the Ethicon Award for Excellence in Surgical Research in 1989, both of which recognize outstanding achievement in research.Following training he served on faculty at S.I.U. for three years as Assistant Professor where he pioneered advanced procedures in facelifts, endoscopic brow lift and ultrasonic liposuction before accepting his present position in Nevada, his home state.
Dr. Zamboni and his wife, Karen, reside with their son in Henderson.
Nolan Flinn ~ Advisory Board Member
Nolan Finn is the Associate Publisher of St. Pete Magazine, part of the Rain Publishing Group that publishes South Tampa Magazine and blu Tampa Bay. Prior to this, Nolan was an account executive for Tampa Bay Illustrated, a luxury lifestyle magazine. Mr. Finn has spent most of his professional career in fundraising and fundraising management for both local and national nonprofit organizations across the United States. In his fourteen-year career in fundraising, Nolan has been responsible for leading and participating in raising nearly $72M in contributions. Nolan is a graduate of St. Louis University with a B.A. in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude. He lives in St. Petersburg, FL with his partner and their dog Jake.
Joe Restaino ~ Advisory Board Member
Joe Restaino is a graduate of Florida State University. In 2005 he joined Merrill Lynch, where he maintains a specialty in financial planning, estate planning issues, and money management. He has more than 10 years experience providing financial and wealth management advice and services.
His passion in helping the cause of MHC stems from loved ones being affected by the horrible disease.
In Joe’s spare time, he enjoys playing tennis, working out, spending time with his family and friends. He also supports the local art community and serves on the Board of the Gasparilla International Film Festival.
Daniel Zink – Advisory Board Member
Daniel has over 25 years of Management, Sales, Technology Support, and Project Management experience. Exposure to Information Technology began when Daniel began when he became a mainframe and telecommunication specialist in the United States Air Force. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Zink moved into a corporate management role and further defined his specialization be becoming involved with the Radiology market of the healthcare industry.
Education became more import for Daniel after he left the military. In 2006 he redeveloped his education by completing his undergraduate degree in Information Technology. After receiving his Bachelors of Science in Information Technology he moved into the graduate degree program, where he is currently finishing his MBA.
Raffi Darrow – Advisory Board Member
Raffi’s experience with computers began in 1983 when she was the only child in her grade school class with a computer at home. Her internet experience dates back to 1995, and she now provides graphic design and web development to Tampa Bay businesses through her design firm, RDesign.
The daughter of a breast cancer survivor, Raffi dedicates time to My Hope Chest’s web site, events, marketing materials and more with the hope that her own daughters will never experience these nightmares.
If you have the time, dedication, connections and more that can help My Hope Chest develop a great National presence, you can discuss joining our Board by contacting us today.
