A breast cancer diagnosis is life-changing. But for so many of the women at the center of a case of breast cancer, life just doesn’t stop. Life doesn’t pause to let women come to terms with the emotional turmoil and physical symptoms of cancer. The truly staggering weight of all those unprocessed emotions can take its toll. And that’s exactly why board-certified plastic surgeon and reconstruction expert practicing in Park City and Salt Lake City, UT, Renato Saltz, MD started the Image Reborn Foundation.
Breast Cancer Survivors Need More Support
“Women do everything,” says Dr. Saltz. “And that doesn’t stop when they have breast cancer.”
So many of us know a woman who continued to be a mother or wife while they were a cancer patient. Putting on a brave face may be a legitimate coping mechanism for many women, but it still takes a toll.
“These are women who are often expected to continue their duties as a mother or wife while in cancer treatment,” Dr. Saltz says. “They are driving themselves to treatment appointments, they are single mothers, they are holding down multiple jobs not just as providers, but as caretakers for their entire families.”
La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD, a long-time supporter of the Image Reborn Foundation, notes that part of patient success is their outlook. “We know that patient outcomes and quality of life are tied together with their emotional outlook and their support system,” Dr. Singer says.
And when the fight against cancer finally arrives at remission and, for the women who want it, reconstruction, it can catch up.
“In the early 90s, I observed that despite employing the most advanced techniques and effort to achieve the best outcome, the patients were still facing huge challenges across the spectrum that surgery wouldn’t resolve,” Dr. Saltz explains. “Patients were still depressed and experiencing serious sadness. Their bodies and souls seem to struggle with the disease in all aspects.”
Going Outside the Doctor’s Office
Image Reborn runs a series of fully-funded retreats for breast cancer patients. Retreats are held in Utah, Colorado, Florida and Texas, and includes retreats entirely in Spanish. Image Reborn is dedicated to providing a comprehensive experience in nature, finding gorgeous vistas, luxury accommodations and scenic environments.
“This is a vital part of supporting breast cancer patients,” says Dr. Singer. “These are entirely free retreats that really get to the heart of the emotional side of cancer treatment.”
Survivors are focused on emotional healing, experiencing beautiful natural landscapes and participating in activities geared towards their health level. Patients can connect here with women who have the same diagnosis and a community of volunteers.
Image Reborn places a focus on providing beautiful natural landscapes to truly achieve rest and relaxation during a completely free 3-day experience. Younger patients can join adventure retreats, where group hiking and mountain biking connect them with exercise and energy. Later-stage patients are guided through conversations about mortality and given critical emotional support. All patients receive an opportunity to address the medical side of their cancer journey during Medical Hour.
“I’m so grateful to all of you for rejuvenating my soul!” writes one anonymous testimonial. “You gave me a lift to remembering the beautiful me no matter what’s going on with my body. I highly recommend every woman that is fighting or has fought breast cancer to sign up! I loved it!”
Community Support Keeps Image Reborn Free
“We are now able to run retreats every other weekend,” Dr. Saltz says. “We’ve had over 4,000 participants in the 26 years since the foundation was founded. And alongside hundreds of volunteers, board of directors, advisory board members, full-time staff and executive director, it would not be possible without community support.”
“To me, it’s a critical part of what I do,” Dr. Singer says. “As a plastic surgeon, we’re responsible for meeting a patient’s goals to the best of our abilities, but really supporting your patients goes beyond that. Our care must extend to the emotional reality of breast cancer, and Image Reborn is an incredible way for patients to receive that support.”
If you or anyone you know would benefit from attending an Image Reborn retreat, you can find application and donation information at imagerebornfoundation.org.
