Breast cancer affects millions of families every year. In fact, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, which means most of us know someone who has been impacted by the disease. Thanks to early detection and better treatment, many women go on to recover.
But finishing treatment isn’t always the end of the journey. For some, a mastectomy or double mastectomy is part of their recovery. And while it can be lifesaving, it can also be life-changing in ways that are hard to prepare for. That’s where breast reconstruction surgery comes in — helping restore not only a sense of wholeness, but also confidence and healing.
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, we observe Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day in the United States – a time to spread awareness about the options available for women who face breast cancer surgery, and to honor the donor heroes who make so much of that healing possible.
How Tissue Donation Supports Breast Reconstruction
Many people know about organ donation — kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs. But few realize that tissue donation is essential in many surgeries, including breast reconstruction.
Some cancer survivors are able to use their own tissue for reconstruction. But for others, that’s not an option. In those cases, tissue grafts from donors provide the foundation surgeons need to rebuild and restore. These grafts can support implants, repair areas weakened by radiation or chemotherapy, and improve long-term outcomes.
That’s just one of the many ways tissue donation changes lives. It can also aid burn survivors, children with injuries, veterans in need of orthopedic repairs, and so many more.
Dennis’s Legacy of Healing
Dennis, a 56-year-old veteran, passed away in December 2019 after suffering a third heart attack. Two years earlier, he had made the choice to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor. While his organs could not be used, his tissue donation went on to help more than 1,100 people.
Some of Dennis’s skin tissue was even sent overseas to Singapore. Others were used here at home in procedures like breast reconstruction, giving cancer survivors a chance to heal and move forward.
“Dennis was a funny, generous man, and I know he would be proud to know he was able to make such a difference in the lives of others,” his sister Lora shared. “God bless our organ procurement organization for making his gift possible.”
Stories like Dennis’s show how one decision — to say “yes” to donation — can ripple out to heal hundreds, even thousands, of lives.
How You Can Support BRA Day 2025
- Say Yes, Give Life: Like Dennis, your decision can impact hundreds of lives. Register to be a donor today.
- Share stories of donor heroes: Personal stories bring awareness campaigns like BRA Day to life. Share them on social media or in your community.
- Support Mid-America Transplant’s mission: Participate in awareness events, volunteer, or encourage your family and friends to register as a donor.
As we recognize Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, we celebrate the strength of breast cancer survivors and the generosity of donors like Dennis who make their healing possible.
