Inaugural Smiles for Life Award Granted to Breast Cancer Survivor: The Silverstrom Group and American Cancer Society Celebrate Survivorship

LIVINGSTON, N.J., May 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Silverstrom Group is proud to announce the first winner of the Smiles for Life Award in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Inspired to donate their medical expertise to help others, Dr. David Silverstrom and Dr. Gary Silverstrom's philanthropic award bestows a cosmetic dental makeover worth $25,000 to a cancer survivor in the New Jersey/New York area. After a long selection process, the dentists chose Betty Wetterauw of Sussex, New Jersey, who suffered from breast cancer in 2013.

"We are thrilled to give the gift of a new beautiful smile to Betty," says Dr. David Silverstrom, co-owner of The Silverstrom Group, "The ravages of radiation therapy and chemotherapy destroy the mouth. We know that the oral reconstruction performed on Betty over the next few months will rehabilitate her mouth function, restore confidence and renew her self-esteem."

The American Cancer Society fights for every life threatened by cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization in the United States, the Society is focused on delivering lifesaving programs and services to help people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back.  With a century of experience, the American Cancer Society is working to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays—a world where cancer never steals another year or smile from anyone's life.

Nominated by plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Renee Comizio, Betty's story is one of strength and perseverance with family values at the core.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February while working as a postal worker and caring for her two children and parents. After her diagnosis, she opted for bilateral mastectomies and stopped smoking immediately. While recovering from her surgery in the hospital, her father, Robert Reid Wetterauw, Sr., was down the hall battling metastatic colon cancer. When Betty was discharged, her father remained, struggling to learn to walk again.

Despite what Betty was going through emotionally, she was the rock in her family during Robert's illness. Betty put her chemotherapy on hold while encouraging her father to walk post-surgery, driving her mother to and from the hospital for visits, and then supporting her grieving mother after Robert passed away in June. Two months later Betty developed a rare infection; therefore, her chemotherapy was delayed so that her two expanders could be surgically removed. A month later, she started chemotherapy and returned to work. Betty's mouth has suffered great trauma over the years; she has wanted dental work for a long time.

The Silverstrom Group has developed a smile makeover plan for Betty that provides a healthy foundation of gum and bone support, eliminating disease. They will replace missing teeth; perform laser tissue sculpting; return lost lip and facial contours with a smile-lift; and create a natural, cosmetic smile with enhanced porcelains. The Group is honored to design a makeover that Betty has always wanted through the Smiles for Life Award. Starting in May, the entire process will be documented via video and imagery that will be featured on the American Cancer Society's website, as well as through social media. Betty's transformation will be revealed at the American Cancer Society's 35^th Annual Diamond Ball on November 15, 2014.

For more information about the Smiles for Life Award, please contact The Silverstrom Group at 862.485.2759 or email [email protected].

For more information on the American Cancer Society, Eastern Division, please contact Hawa Washington at 513.550.2384  or email at [email protected].

About Smiles for Life Award

Launched in 2014, the Smiles for Life Award was created by The Silverstrom Group to rehabilitate the mouth of cancer survivors. Dry mouth, rampant decay, and tooth loss are common symptoms of cancer patients, which create functional and aesthetic issues. The dentists at The Silverstrom Group are experts in managing these problems.

Dedicated to philanthropy and the fight against cancer, The Silverstrom Group donates a $25,000 cosmetic makeover to one cancer survivor per year. Potential candidates are elected by local plastic surgeons and the selected recipient is chosen based on need. By documenting and revealing this transformative process through a partnership with the American Cancer Society, the award showcases to the world the healing power of a smile makeover and celebrates survivorship. The Smiles for Life Award rehabilitates mouth functionality, restores confidence and renews self-esteem—truly creating a smile that speaks volumes.

About The Silverstrom Group

Voted Essex County's Best Dentist in 2013, The Silverstrom Group is an award-winning dental practice on the forefront of technology. Dr. David Silverstrom and Dr. Gary Silverstrom lead a group of professionals who have devoted their careers to the oral health and wellness of their patients. From dental implants, porcelain veneers, and teeth whitening to root canal therapy and emergency care, The Silverstrom Group offers a complete range of cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry services of the most surpassing quality in a spa-like environment. The Silverstrom Group is based in Livingston, New Jersey. For more information, go to www.readytosmile.com. Find us on Twitter @SilverstromGrp on Facebook at www.facebook.com/readytosmile and on Instagram @SilverstromGroup.        

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we marked our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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SOURCE The Silverstrom Group