Smiles for Survivors Foundation Raises Nearly $4,000 for Breast Cancer Patients

LAS VEGAS - June 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Smiles for Survivors FoundationTM (SFS), a Las Vegas-based nonprofit that is the first in the nation to work with dentists and dental specialists to provide dental treatment to breast cancer patients and survivors, announces that nearly $4,000 was raised during its recent happy hour fundraising event hosted by Vintner Grill on Thursday, June 5.  Square Colour Salon and Spa also partnered with SFS donating volunteers and gift bags for the event that attracted just over 100 attendees. SFS receives 100 percent of the event’s proceeds; the money is used to help restore breast cancer patients’ oral health that’s been damaged as a result of cancer treatment as well as funding education initiatives about the oral side effects of chemotherapy.

The event included music, drinks, appetizers and more as guests enjoyed the ambience of the Vintner Grill patio. Little Miss Summerlin, Lynsey Thomas, who is 8 years old was also in attendance and gave a generous donation of $350 in pageant winnings to the foundation. In addition to the $4,000 raised at the event, Dr. Isom from Dr. Blair A. Isom Family Dentistry & Orthodontics also donated $1,400 to help breast cancer patients.

“We are so grateful to the Las Vegas community and to Vintner Grill for their generosity,” said Dr. Olya Banchik, SFS founder.  “As the first non-profit to address this issue, we are focused on raising awareness, relieving patients who are in pain and creating a dialogue between dentists and oncologists. With all the support from the community we are able to really make a difference in the lives of so many cancer patients and survivors.”

In addition to accepting patients for dental services, the organization is recruiting new dental providers and is working to educate the community in these cities about the oral side effects of chemotherapy suffered by 40 percent of breast cancer patients. Dr. Olya Banchik who started the foundation in 2010, has created a network of dental specialists that has worked with 20 patients in Las Vegas, providing over $40,000 worth of dental treatment.

SFS will be holding another fundraising event on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, the 4th annual Blow Out Breast Cancer. The event will be held at Square Colour Salon + Spa, located at 1225 S. Fort Apache Rd. Ste 160. The event is from 4 to 11 p.m. and is open to men and women. The evening includes cocktails, food, live entertainment, a variety of beauty treatments and a silent auction.

Breast cancer patients who would like to be considered for treatment can apply at www.smilesforsurvivors.org. Dentists who would like to volunteer their services can email doctors@smilesforsurvivors.org.

About Smiles for Survivors

Smiles for Survivors™ is a registered 501(c) 3 foundation, whose mission is to support breast cancer patients and survivors. The organization works with dentists and dental specialists to provide preventative and restorative dental treatment, to educate cancer patients about potential oral side effects of chemotherapy and to raise awareness in the community about the importance of nutrition and maintaining good oral health before, during and after cancer treatments. Through a vetting process, Smiles for Survivors Foundation selects qualified breast cancer patients to receive dental procedures to improve oral health. Dr. Olya Banchik, a Las Vegas-based dentist whose life was personally touched by the disease, established the Smiles for Survivors Foundation in 2010. More information on Smiles for Survivors Foundation can be found at www.smilesforsurvivors.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.