2019 BRA Day Toronto Event

Throughout the course of my practice, I have seen many women who have undergone surgery to treat breast cancer and were unaware that there were opportunities available to them to reconstruct their breast. As a result, in 2011, I founded Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day). The vision and goals for this event were quite simple: provide education, access and awareness to women and their families regarding options for post mastectomy breast reconstruction.

In the inaugural year, we hosted 12 events across Canada. A logo was created with a variation of the pink ribbon that included a second internal loop. This ribbon, designed by my sister Lisa who was a cancer survivor, represented longevity and the concept that breast reconstruction plays a part in “closing the loop” on breast cancer.

With our initial success in Canada, BRA Day has now been adopted in over 30 countries around the world. It is estimated that BRA Day events have reached over 1 million participants worldwide.

The flagship Toronto event will take place this year at The Toronto Botanical Garden on Wednesday, October 16 from 6:30-10 pm. Attendance is free, but we ask you to register online in order for us to plan for number of attendees.

If you are interested in learning about options for breast reconstruction from local experts, please visit this link for more information:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bra-day -toronto-flagship-2019-tickets-60750932675

Event Program

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Presentations start promptly at 7 pm.

  • Presentations from breast reconstruction surgeons and women who have had reconstruction and gone through this journey.
  • Show & Tell Lounge where women can see the real-life results of breast reconstruction and speak with women who have been through it.
  • Education Tables hosted by plastic surgeons who can answer your questions.
  • Exhibit Area with products and services to help women who have been affected by breast cancer
  • Snacks and Refreshments provided for all attendees

Presentation Schedule

Dr. Mitchell Brown – BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) What you need to know.

Dr. John Semple – Implant Reconstruction – Pre-pectoral or under the muscle.

Dr. Joan Lipa – Managing the other breast.

Dr. Toni Zhong – Options for tissue (flap) reconstruction.

Patient Stories

Q&A

Education Tables

One-step direct to implant – Dr. John Semple, Women’s College Hospital
Reconstruction using implants – Dr. Mary-Helen Mahoney, North York General Hospital
Preventative (prophylactic) mastectomy – Dr. Mitchell Brown, Women’s College Hospital
Reconstruction using your own tissue – Dr. Joan Lipa, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Delayed reconstruction and radiation – Dr. Toni Zhong, University Health Network
Reconstruction options after lumpectomy – Dr. Melinda Musgrave, St. Michael’s Hospital
Post Surgery Recovery and Physiotherapy – Lindsay Davey & Lisa Chau, Registered Phyiotherapists
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer – Aletta Poll, Women’s College Hospital