Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month educates the public about the second most common cancer among women. Within the aesthetic plastic surgery specialty, many doctors have patients who have fought and defeated this devastating disease and are looking to recapture their quality of life by way of an “aesthetic breast reconstruction.”

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation reminds you that two patient assistance funds that are available to ASERF and ASAPS members nationwide: The Mollenkopf Aesthetic Breast Reconstruction Fund, which provides financial assistance to patients looking to complete their aesthetic breast reconstruction following breast cancer; and the BIA-ALCL Patient Assistance Fund for diagnosed patients who are uninsured or underinsured.  [Note: The BIA-ALCL Fund is also available to members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) while the Mollenkopf Fund recently expanded to include the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) membership.]

More than 60 Mollenkopf Fund grants of up to $5,000 each are available thanks to the generosity of Susan and Steve Mollenkopf, with matching funds by the Qualcomm Foundation. The BIA-ALCL Fund can award grants of up to $6,500 to patients who are diagnosed with ALCL following National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines. This Fund is made possible by breast implant manufacturers Allergan, Mentor and Sientra.

To find out if you have a patient who is eligible for support from either Fund, download the Mollenkopf Fund grant application here, and the BIA-ALCL Fund request form here. Each form has detailed guidelines and criteria to review prior to starting the application process.

For additional questions on eligibility and applying, please contact Ivan Rodriguez, Development and Grants Manager at (562) 799-2356 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .