Patients of Courage Transcend Physical Disfigurement, H...(larships to high school students and pro...),Health

Beth Silverman, 29, of Farmingdale, N.Y., was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was only 26 years old. After having a lumpectomy followed by four months of chemotherapy, Beth decided to undergo bilateral mastectomies and immediate TRAM flap breast reconstruction despite her concerns about the emotional consequence of losing her breasts. Today, Beth is supporting others facing the same fate. She and her ASPS Member Surgeon are looking to "change the face of breast reconstruction" by starting breastreconstruction.org, which launches this month. Volunteering as a counselor and speaking at fundraisers, she is an active member of breastcancer.org, the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Young Survival Coalition and Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition.

The Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity program is supported by Ethicon Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company.

Visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org for referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.