New York Group for Plastic Surgery Kicks Off Challenge to Benefit Cancer Organization

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Plastic and reconstructive surgeons Dr. C. Andrew Salzberg and Dr. R. Michael Koch of the New York Group for Plastic Surgery are spearheading a fundraising campaign to benefit FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), the only national nonprofit organization devoted to supporting women at hereditary risk for various cancers, including breast cancer.

Dr. Salzberg and Dr. Koch are being recognized by FORCE for the skill and compassion they provide to women undergoing mastectomy breast reconstruction to treat breast cancer, or to drastically reduce their risk with a prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy, an option chosen by more than one-third of high-risk women. Dr. Salzberg and Dr. Koch offer women a quicker, less uncomfortable process of mastectomy breast reconstruction known as Direct to Implant, or "One-Step," pioneered by Dr. Salzberg and practiced by both surgeons on hundreds of women who live locally or fly in from across the country to Westchester and Orange Counties for their care.

FORCE is honoring Dr. Salzberg and Dr. Koch as part of their national "Superheroes" fundraising campaign to support research, education and advocacy on behalf of people with hereditary breast, ovarian and other cancers. The New York Group for Plastic Surgery will kick off the campaign with an initial donation of $2,500, and individuals can donate to FORCE in Dr. Salzberg and Dr. Koch's honor by visiting http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/salzberg-koch/heroes.

According to FORCE, 2.3 million women in the U.S. may be at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer because of their family history. Women with a mutation in the BRCA (BReast CAncer) gene have up to an 85% lifetime risk for breast cancer and up to a 50% lifetime risk for ovarian cancer. It is estimated that 940,000 people in the U.S. carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, which can be inherited from a mother or father.

"Dr. Koch and Dr. Salzberg have been an invaluable part of the high-risk breast cancer community for many years," says Sue Friedman, FORCE founder and Executive Director. "They share FORCE's commitment to educating high-risk women about the options of post-mastectomy reconstructive breast surgery.  Their surgeries have enabled many high-risk women who would not otherwise have elected a preventive mastectomy to proceed with life-saving surgery."

About the New York Group for Plastic Surgery
The New York Group for Plastic Surgery is comprised of highly trained reconstructive and plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and recognized for their specialized medical and cosmetic surgical skills and personalized patient care.  The New York Group for Plastic Surgery serves patients from communities in the entire Hudson River Valley, New York City, Northern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and Western Connecticut, as well as patients who travel from across the United States and internationally for their expertise. Their offices are located in Tarrytown, Cortlandt Manor, Goshen and New York City. For more information about the NYGPS, please visit: http://www.nygplasticsurgery.com

About FORCE
FORCE is the only national non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and was founded on the principle that no one should have to face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer alone. For more information about FORCE, please visit: http://www.facingourrisk.org/index.php

Contact:
Andrea Ziltzer
AZ Healthcare Communications                                                           
[email protected]
914.923.3547

SOURCE New York Group for Plastic Surgery