Breast cancer survivor helps others with reconstructive surgery costs

A Bay area native who beat breast cancer is now spearheading a nonprofit organization that provides free breast reconstruction to uninsured women.

Seminole native Alisa Aavoretti was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2002. She beat the disease, but lost a breast to it.

Aavoretti, who was working as a show girl, had to go back on stage before fully recovering because she didn't have insurance.

"Honestly, that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do because the show was grueling and I had no muscles in my legs," she said.

Neither could she afford the $25,000 for reconstructive surgery. Savoretti stuffed her costumes and eventually paid for the three-part reconstructive surgery on her own.

Her experience compelled her to start an organization called "My Hope Chest."

"I realized that this had to be a problem for other women," Aavoretti said. "This wasn't just about Alisa being uninsured and losing her breast. This was about the women out there caught in the same situation."

My Hope Chest has thousands across the country on a waiting list to get help funding for reconstructive surgery.