Renato Saltz, MD

Image Reborn Foundation, Founder & Chairman of the Board

As a breast reconstructive surgeon, I have consistently observed that despite employing the most advanced surgical techniques and making significant efforts to achieve the best possible outcomes, patients often face challenges beyond what surgery can resolve. My breast cancer patients often experienced profound sadness, depression, and family issues involving their spouses or partners, friends, and children. Even with excellent results achieved during the breast reconstruction surgery, their bodies and souls seemed to struggle with the disease and its implications. It felt as though something was missing!

One of my patients, who worked as a clinical nurse, also battled breast cancer and attended a weekend retreat in Montana. She returned feeling significantly better, having learned how to cope with the disease after bonding with other breast cancer survivors.  This experience made me realize that treating breast cancer extends beyond the medical component, highlighting the need to address the psychological aspect for these women.  As I noticed with many of my patients, the cancer diagnosis affected more than just their breast(s); it impacted their overall health, bodies, souls, sexuality, and self-image, necessitating a process of being reborn.

Together, we founded the Image Reborn Foundation (IRF) in 1998 to offer no-cost renewal retreats for women diagnosed with breast cancer, thus supporting them in living rich and fulfilling lives.  The three-day retreats take place in beautiful natural settings, addressing many of the emotional and psychological issues breast cancer survivors face, such as sexuality, relationships, medical-related issues, and financial well-being. Underlying these challenges is the need for survivors to begin healing and restoring their lives emotionally and physically throughout their cancer journey- this is the heart and mission of each renewal retreat.

Starting with the first renewal retreat in picturesque Park City in 1998, the weekend-long retreats are now hosted in generously donated luxury accommodations in several states: Utah (Park City and St. George), Colorado (Denver), and Texas (Houston). The first retreat in Florida (Miami) is planned for December 2024. Each retreat hosts ten to twelve attendees, with IRF covering the costs of transportation, accommodations, gourmet meals, and restorative activities.  Survivors may attend during any state of their cancer journey, but space is limited, so advanced registration is required at www.ImageRebornFoundation.org.

The IRF retreats are hosted in stunning natural locations, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the beauty around them. This connection with nature plays a critical role in the healing process, offering a serene backdrop for reflection and renewal. Each weekend session, designed and facilitated by professionals experienced in addressing the concerns of women with breast cancer, focuses on providing support and renewal in an informal setting.  IRF plans specific retreats for women with Stage IV Breast Cancer, Young Survivors, Spanish-speaking Hispanic women, and those looking to challenge themselves through Adventure Retreats in Southern Utah and Colorado. In 2023, we held our first retreat for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Women with Breast Cancer in Colorado, repeated it in 2024, and plan many in the future. Our program revolves around key components that address the emotional healing necessary after the devastating impact of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Medical: Women can ask tough questions and receive candid answers from experts in medical/surgical oncology and reconstructive surgery.

Emotional: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma, anxiety, and fear can continue to affect survivors unless addressed: IRF offers tools and tips for managing these stressors.

Mindfulness: Incorporating mindfulness encourages wholehearted living.

Physical Activity: Options for physical activities accommodate all levels and abilities, with exercise being one of the few non-medical healing alternatives recognized to reduce cancer recurrence. 

Renewal: Ample relaxation and downtime allow women to reflect and receive well-deserved treatments to alleviate physical pain.

Scientific studies have measured psychosocial changes in women who attended retreats, revealing significant decreases in anxiety and stress, as well as increases in joy, body image, and general well-being. Research has shown that emotional attitudes significantly predict longevity after diagnosis and treatment. Currently, there is growing awareness of this gap in care, and more cancer providers are exploring ways to integrate emotional support into their care plans as it is essential to the healing and overall well-being of all cancer patients. When in town, I always make it a point to attend the retreats on Sunday mornings during the “Medical Hour” discussions, where I hear incredible, first-hand testimonials from the retreat attendees: 

“It’s just nice to be with other women like me.”

“I can’t fully explain the bonding, but you share so much of your souls with each other, and give each other strength.”

“We all arrived as strangers and left with many new best friends.”

“The weekend changed my life. Now I don’t count the days, I make the days count.”

Image Reborn now hosts an average of 30 annual renewal retreats and has welcomed over 4,000 breast cancer survivors from all 50 States, Central America, South America, and Europe over the past twenty-six years.   Additionally, we have expanded programming to include an annual Intimacy Conference and various in-person and online support sessions. We even continued programming during the COVID-19 pandemic with a record number of virtual retreats and engagement options, helping survivors who felt more isolated than ever before connect with a supportive community. We have received numerous awards, such as the distinguished Most Innovative Foundation of the Year award from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons Patient of Courage Award (ASPS).

The Image Reborn Foundation’s ability to positively impact thousands of lives is greatly attributed to the generous support of various donors and partners. Donations from local private businesses, such as Adib Rugs and Rodizio Grill, as well as many friends and companies in the aesthetic industry, such as Allergan, Benev, Sofwave, Sentient, Sciton, and Galderma, play a crucial role in financially supporting the Foundation’s programs and retreats. Individual donors, alongside nonprofits like Playing for Life, help to fund transformative programs that support breast cancer survivors and their emotional well-being.  I also want to recognize the American Brazilian Aesthetic Meeting (ABAM) for its consistent annual support (with total average giving approaching 1 million dollars) that has helped the Foundation expand its retreat initiatives. The Foundation’s fundraising efforts are further bolstered by the beautiful annual Gala, held at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah.  This event hosts hundreds of people who contribute not only by attending but also by donating auction items, further enhancing the impact of the Foundation’s work on survivors and their families. 

I could never have achieved any of this without the love and support of my beautiful wife, Dr. Flavia Aspesi-Saltz, my children, and many dear friends who attend our galas , support the retreats, donate money, and volunteer time to the Foundation. I extend my deepest thanks to past and present members of the amazing IRF Board for ongoing encouragement and celebrate Staff members, retreat facilitators, medical professionals, and an “army” of volunteers who assist with transportation, cooking, and numerous other activities during the retreats. My sincere appreciation. 

Since IRF’s inception in 1998, I have attended the Sunday morning “Medical Hour” at the retreats and plan to do so for the rest of my life. I’ve participated in hundreds of retreats and personally met thousands of women touched by Image Reborn.  I have witnessed the profound transformation that occurs in a small group of survivors over a single weekend retreat. Each of these women has filled my heart and soul forever- retreat Sundays are the best Sundays! 

I feel honored and blessed to have had the opportunity and privilege of founding and serving the Image Reborn Foundation for all these years. I have received so much more in return than I could have ever hoped to give.

 

Dr. Renato Saltz (excerpt from the 25th anniversary celebratory book Weaving a Tapestry: 25 Years of Hope & Healing).