FEATURE
Removing the barriers to reconstruction Breastoration is about more than providing educational and financial assistance to women facing a breast cancer diagnosis – it’s also working to change the way the state of Louisiana helps these patients By Paul Snyder
Maria Stambaugh is a single mother who was working as a hostess at The Chloe New Orleans, the boutique hotel and restaurant in the heart of the city. After being diagnosed
with breast cancer and going through the process of reconstruction, her financial situation became somewhat strained. One day a woman came in wearing a lymphedema sleeve. Maria walked up to the customer and asked if she was a breast cancer survivor.
The customer said she was. Excited to have someone to share her experience with, Stambaugh began to discuss her own journey with the customer, and how she had taken the parttime job at The Chloe to help cover the expenses incurred by the diagnosis and reconstruction. The customer began to tell her about Breastoration, a local nonprofit that not only raises awareness about
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breast reconstruction options, but also provides educational and financial resources to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Unbeknownst to Stambaugh, the customer with whom she was conversing was Amelia Leonardi, president of the Cancer Association of Louisiana (CALA), which distributes Breastoration funding. Suddenly, Maria burst into tears. Earlier that day, she had received a call informing her that she would be awarded Breastoration funds to help cover some of her necessary expenses. “I can’t describe the feeling of how much I needed to hear that help was on its way,” Maria recalls. “I’ve been angry, sad and felt that I had no support. Breastoration lifted me up when I needed it most. I felt like someone cared.” There are several women who share the sentiment.
