My Hope Chest was founded by Alisa Savoretti in the fall of 2003. A breast cancer survivor and Las Vegas Showgirl, she was 38 and without insurance at the time of her diagnosis. Following a mastectomy and only 5 months after finishing her chemotherapy, she returned to the Las Vegas stage and her career as a professional dancer – this time however, minus one breast.
Billing herself as the “Lop-sided Showgirl”, Alisa shared her personal story and plans for an organization as a result of it, gaining media attention through a news story on the local CBS affiliate. Alisa had to wait nearly 3 years to acquire her own reconstruction. She realized then that there is a huge gap in treatment that existed for “uninsured” women suffering from a mastectomy.
“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. I was my healing, a rebirth and a godsend.”
With the help of members of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), My Hope Chest was formed and became a 501c3 in December of 2003, and is the only “national” breast reconstruction organization working to help “uninsured” women heal completely.
Thoughts from the Founder
I have never questioned why I got cancer. I honestly believe I was destined to start My Hope Chest. Seeing “pink ribbons” everywhere, the “awareness” of the disease, and the magnitude of the dollars that breast cancer raised (it is the most heavily funded cause in America), I though that garnering support and funding for this “final step in breast cancer treatment” would be a no-brainer.
But, we at My Hope Chest are still trying to make people aware of this problem and sustain this vital cause, I am only seeing baby steps in funding and progress. Important work in breast cancer research continues to make great strides in seeking a cure for the disease, yet what most people don’t realize is that there are still thousands of survivors who struggle every day to live beyond the disease. Like I once did, they feel less than whole because of their cancer experience and sacrificing one or both breasts in exchange for their life.
Although our wait list grows everyday nationwide, the awareness that thousands of women still live years after the disease missing one or both breasts, has not-yet. The giants in breast cancer recognize the need for our services as they refer all of their women to us… My Hope Chest doesn’t receive funding from these organizations yet, we are all volunteers and the need has far outweighed our means to help these women. We seek sustainability to provide the services needed.
I believe are all very aware in America that breast cancer exists and dollars towards this specific issue need to be looked at. Breast Centers in every city provide the immediate info a newly diagnosed woman needs and the Internet has a plethora of info and links to help patients survivors… I believe those who support breast cancer in dollars and actions are all helping the same women at different steps of her cancer journey. Now it’s time to support breast reconstruction.
I encourage you… If you donate to breast cancer right now, please expand your reach to aid in the total healing of a woman’s journey. Split your gifts! You will feel even better knowing that you are providing a real solution to an unmet problem – and helping a real someone right NOW.
If you have a corporation or business, talk to us about Partnerships. Get the word of your business out hand in hand with My Hope Chest! I challenge you to lead and partner with My Hope Chest with your philanthropic efforts instead of following the usual paths of multi-million dollar charities. You will make so much more of an impact on our mission, I promise you. Until there is a cure for the disease, there will always be women who fall through the cracks of the disease. There is enough money behind the cause to support us all… and now you are aware we exist.
I am forever hopeful that we will acquire the support and essential funding we seek this year to continue our important work. Please include My Hope Chest on your list of worthy causes; tell your friends and tell your family…every little bit truly does add up! Additionally if you are able, we absolutely encourage you to select a giving level and become a Hope’s Angel today and make an annual commitment to our cause. For every $10,000 we collect, we change a survivor’s life forever and honor her with what we feel is the “final step in breast cancer treatment” - restoring body, mind and spirit.
My vision continues to be to see My Hope Chest as the organization that restores hope to breast cancer survivors who have lost it while looking for a way to gain their own breast reconstruction surgery. My dream is to live to see My Hope Chest grow to assist women all over the globe. I believe that with your support, My Hope Chest, like grassroots organizations before it, will endure in our society and leave an important legacy on this earth.
Finally, friends, I thank you sincerely for taking the time to learn about our mission and encourage you to spread the word within your community and online networks. We are the only hope for women who have fallen through the cracks of medical care and we simply can’t do it alone. For more ideas on how you can help, go to SUPPORT MHC.
Remember to do your self-exams, know your breasts and get your annual mammogram. (I personally recommend mammograms for women under 40 if there is a family history of breast cancer). Many towns offer free programs or it is usually about $100 – a small price for something that will save your life! Contact the American Cancer Society or Susan G. Komen chapter in your town for a referral.
Thank you,
Alisa Savoreeti
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