I can’t believe we are already halfway into January, and I have been President of the Aesthetic Foundation for almost 9 months, the time has flown by.
The Foundation had a successful 2025. We have published the first Annual Report for ARISE, the American Registry for Implant Surveillance and Evaluation. The platform has been recently updated, and I have noticed an increase in speed when registering implants. The FDA now requires that all implants be electronically registered either through the manufacturers, ARISE, or NBIR. ARISE has over 120,000 registered implants and with the updates is now a fast, convenient system to meet the FDA requirements. ARISE also collects data on the details of procedures such as the reason for a revision or explant, whether pocket irrigation, funnels, soft tissue support, or fat grafting is performed. This data will advance The Foundation’s commitment to safety and transparency through evidence-based patient care.
ARISE ANNUAL REPORT
The heart of The Foundation is research. So far this fiscal year we have received 12 applications for grants with 4 approved for funding. The high level of research that we are seeing is requiring significant funds, so we must be fiscally responsible in granting awards and appreciate any donations to continue this important mission. The scope of the research is wide and among the 20+ ongoing studies are: “Cytotoxicity of Implant Exposed Serum on Breast Cancer”, “Histologic Effects of Energy Based Skin Tightening Devices”, “Effect of Intramuscular Fat Grafting on New Muscle Formation”, and “Detection of Bacterial DNA Following Breast Reconstruction Using NGS”. We expect several papers to be presented at The MEET 2026 in Boston and published in ASJ and ASJOF next year.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Please join us in Boston for the Spotlight on Research Luncheon which is now bundled as all-inclusive with your Hot Topics registration. This was an obvious collaboration with the presentation of the exciting Foundation-funded research and the cutting-edge technology and procedures included in a fantastic Hot Topics event.
REGISTER HERE
We are also excited that the Career Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. Mark Jewell who has had a tremendous impact on aesthetic surgery in his long, impactful career. You can honor Mark with a contribution to The Foundation to sponsor patient safety research, one of his passions.
DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT
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In October, the Breast Cancer Journey Assistance fund provided $50,000 to 100 breast cancer patients. This is a significant unmet need for cancer patients. Below is a quote from a thank you note that we received from a grant recipient. Your support of the Foundation allows us to award $500 grants to help these patients with their daily expenses which don’t stop while they undergo treatment for their cancer.
From a Breast Cancer Journey Assistance Fund Grant Recipient
“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your extremely generous donation. Your gift has been profoundly helpful, and I wanted to provide you with an update on how it has been used.
My journey began three years ago with a diagnosis of ILC in the left breast, leading to a full mastectomy and chemotherapy, followed by AI therapy. Unfortunately, I was recently diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer (ILC), which presents with innumerable lesions throughout my body. This recurrence has evolved: my initial cancer was ER+, PR+, and HER2-, while the current bone cancer is ER+ (very low), PR-, and HER2+.
I recently completed chemotherapy and have received spot radiation for areas of bone pain, alongside a regimen that includes two HER2-targeting drugs and a bone-strengthening drug administered every three weeks. This treatment path has been very challenging, causing significant pain and sickness.
Despite this, I am still actively working as a self-employed individual to manage my expenses and support my family. My insurance is through the ACA, resulting in a high medical deductible. I used your donation directly to help pay down a portion of this deductible.
Thank you again for your kindness and support during this difficult time. Your generous gift provided essential financial relief that was very much needed and appreciated.”
We are still hoping to increase the percentage of Aesthetic Society members who are also Foundation members when paying their Society dues. If you have already paid your Society dues and want to support our research, education, and charitable endeavors, you can make a tax-deductible donation through the Foundation website. You can also choose "2026 Foundation Membership Dues" from the menu of areas to support to become a member.
DONATE HERE
I know that we are all inundated with requests for money, so I understand why an office manager might skip the non-mandatory parts of our membership dues. We hope to increase participation in The Foundation to at least 80% of Aesthetic Society members, so please ask you staff to ensure your dues are paid for the new year.
Sincerely,
Patricia McGuire, MD
President, The Aesthetic Foundation
