36,913 Pounds Lost ~ 523 Attendees ~ Mandy Gray is Awarded Grant
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Medical treatment for obesity is not covered by many insurance plans. People who purchase there own health insurance are never covered, ever. Over 800 Americans die every day from morbid obesity. Less than 1% of morbidly obese people have insurance that covers bariatric surgery.
Each year in May the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America – WLSFA hosts its annual fundraising event ‘The Mother of All Meet & Greets’ in Las Vegas. Weight loss surgery patients gather in the hundreds from around the globe to support WLSFA. The three day event has doubled in size for the past three years. Patients share a strong and common bond and gathering together to celebrate their new healthy lives gives them the opportunity to pay it forward, to help others who cannot gain access to the medical treatments for their morbid obesity.
The event hosts two evening Galas and a day of speakers on all topics related to obesity and maintaining healthy life styles. Vendors sample everything from vitamins to protein bars and plastic surgeons provide complimentary evaluations for people considering reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss.
At this year’s event Mandy Gray was announced as the seventh grant recipient. Mandy had been trying to get surgery for over 5 years on her own. Mandy’s sister had weight loss surgery three years ago. Darren King, WLSFA’s sixth grant recipient, and a young father of four boys stated, ‘My life was saved by the WLSFA. I used to go to bed each night after putting our boys to bed and pray for a miracle, for some help getting this surgery I so badly needed. When I found the WLSFA grant program it was an answer to my prayers. I no longer go to bed fearing I will die in the middle of the night. Since my surgery in March I have lost over 85 pounds and I feel wonderful.’
More About This Charity
Region
West
Category
Health and Well Being
Name
Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America
Mission
Our Mission is three-fold: Ending Obesity by empowering people to move from surviving to thriving through weight loss surgery, education and support. Performing charitable services and supporting research to find solutions to enhance the quality of life of the morbidly obese community. Raising awareness and funds for surgery.
Impact
- This Achievement alone raised $60,000
- This charity has raised $95,000 in the past year
- This Achievement helped 7 people get surgeries
- This charity has funded 3 surgeries since January 1, 2011
- Funded six grants for weight loss surgery and one grant for reconstructive plastic surgery. Gathered over 500 weight loss surgery people together.
Works In
United States
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