The American Society of Plastic Surgeons launches National BRA Day to promote education, raise funds for research and improve access to women eligible for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons launches National BRA Day to promote education, raise funds for research and improve access to women eligible for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction For Immediate Release: 05/17/2012 Print Arlington Heights, Ill. -- Today, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF) are launching National Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, to take place on October 17, 2012. Renowned singer-songwriter, philanthropist and breast cancer advocate Jewel will serve as the national spokesperson. This year, the U.S. and 20 other countries will join an international effort to increase awareness for breast reconstruction options after a mastectomy. Photo by Fred Greissing Many women, who have bravely battled breast cancer and made it through life-saving surgery, must also grapple with the reality of their new, altered silhouettes. The question remains, what's the next step? Unfortunately, research has revealed that 70 percent of women eligible for breast reconstruction are not being informed of their options. The goal of National BRA Day is to ensure that all breast cancer patients are fully informed of their surgical options and supported by a team of medical professionals working together for the patient's best interest. Grammy-nominated musician, New York Times bestselling poet and humanitarian Jewel will be advocating on behalf of National BRA Day in the coming months, through media appearances and public service announcements. Jewel has written a song to recognize breast reconstruction patients and will perform a charitable concert on October 29, 2012 in New Orleans during Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Event proceeds will be donated to The Plastic Surgery Foundation and be used to support national and local breast reconstruction organizations. ASPS President Malcolm Z. Roth, MD, said, "We are thrilled that Jewel will be lending her time, talent and humanitarian spirit to National BRA Day. We feel that her passionate voice will help bring awareness to this important cause, and inspire women who are on the road to recovery and a full life beyond breast cancer." Stay tuned to Facebook.com/PlasticSurgeryASPS for more information about the National BRA Day song, fundraising concert, charity and corporate partnerships, local events and more. About ASPS and The PSF The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. Founded in 1931, the society is composed of board-certified plastic surgeons that perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The mission of ASPS is to advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. The Society advocates for patient safety, such as requiring its members to operate in accredited surgical facilities that have passed rigorous external review of equipment and staffing. ASPS works in concert with The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF), founded in 1948, which supports research, international volunteer programs and visiting professor programs. The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life of patients through research and development. The PSF accomplishes its mission by providing invaluable support to the research of plastic surgery sciences through a variety of grant programs. About Jewel Jewel is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, actress, poet, painter, philanthropist and daughter to an Alaskan cowboy singer-songwriter. Jewel launched her musical career early on, performing as a father-daughter act in Alaskan biker bars and lumberjack joints. Her solo career took off after moved to San Diego, where she experienced moderate success in the folk-coffeehouse scene while living out of her car. Her first record, a deeply introspective, modern folk collection called Pieces of You, launched a career touring with and opening for the likes of Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, and Neil Young. She followed up her debut album with a succession of albums that steadily built her reputation and fan base: Spirit (1998), This Way (2001), and 0304 (2003). After a tremendous amount of success as a singer-songwriter and over 27 million albums sold, Jewel returned to her roots with the release of two country albums Perfectly Clear (June 2008), and Sweet and Wild (June 2010) and two children's albums Lullaby (May 2009) and The Merry Goes ‘Round (August 2011). In September of this year Jewel will release her second children's book titled "That's What I'd Do". Also a New York Times bestselling poet, Jewel is a staple on television, having hosted reality show Nashville Star and garnering guest spots on The Voice, numerous talk shows, Saturday Night Live, and Mad TV. Also near and dear to Jewel's heart are her charitable efforts, including breast cancer awareness initiatives and the organization Project Clean Water, which she founded in 1997. Jewel currently lives on a working ranch in Stephenville, Texas with her husband, World Champion bull-riding superstar, Ty Murray and their son. Contact ASPS