origin of the event

From Larry H. Lickstein, M.D.:

When I finished my fellowship training in Plastic Surgery, Lori and I relocated to Naples. I had accepted a position to found the Department of Plastic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida’s newest hospital. We married in 2001, and in the next few years were blessed with two sons. By 2005, I had a thriving practice, had been recognized as a “Top Doc” by local publications, and had ascended in the academic ranks at the Clinic.

Unfortunately, we had also discovered that Lori had a life-threatening allergy to fire ants. With each hurricane season, these insects would become a greater threat as they sought “higher ground,” and Lori endured several frightening trips to the hospital in the early stages of anaphylaxis. Life became progressively more difficult, as even a simple trip to the playground could prove to be a dangerous, anxiety-provoking experience. It became apparent that we had to move.

In March, 2006 we relocated to Baltimore and I joined The Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, a practice with a strong emphasis on breast surgery and a long history of philanthropy. In our short time in Maryland, our family has grown with the addition of a third son. Our children have new friends and are thriving in school. My wife, always supportive and loving, has become active in our community and has never been happier, and my clinical practice is healthy and growing.

I think Lori has always recognized how difficult it was for me to leave an established career and my home to relocate to Maryland. A few months ago, knowing my love of art, and in recognition of my passion for plastic surgery, she decided to commission a sculpture to say, “thank you” for my sacrifice. Lori chose a breast cancer patient as the inspiration for the art piece – “in dignity and grace,” and remarkably, she immediately recognized how I would embrace the idea to develop a fundraiser.

As a plastic surgeon, cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery remains a cornerstone of my practice, and I have always been moved by the depth and strength of the relationships that I develop with cancer patients. I meet women devastated, confused, and scared by their new diagnosis, and I can offer hope – for a restored figure, for femininity and sexuality, for confidence, and for normalcy. There is a unique intimacy that develops between patient and physician during treatment.

So, the origin of this event? Two people who are in love, and two people who have made sacrifices for each other; a plastic surgeon who embraces the ability to provide hope; a wife and mother grateful for a new beginning and dedicated to giving something back to the community; and two individuals committed and determined to help a very deserving patient population.

 

From Lori Lickstein:

Larry and I used to live in Naples, FL and five years ago, when our first son was 3 days old, I was stung by a fire ant and went into anaphylaxis. I take medication for heart arrhythmias that blunt the effects of epinephrine, adding to my fears. Larry held my hand, stayed calm like a surgeon, and asked me to hold on, to not give up, to stay with him until the paramedics arrived. I remember looking into my son’s eyes and realizing that this is what so many people have to face, whether alone or in the arms of a loved one. I had a friend who was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer at the time and I thought of how she must feel as she tried to care for her young son. Later, I was affected by a comment from a friend with terminal lung cancer, “Lori, you can run away from your illness. I can’t run from mine.”

When Larry relocated his practice for me, for my health, I wanted to find a way to show how much I cherish him. I thought back to that moment of my first anaphylaxis, and I thought of patients that have deeply touched Larry’s heart. My thoughts went to breast cancer patients. My husband is a deeply caring, loving, sincere and humble man, and I realized that he doesn’t need to be given a thing. He needs to give of himself to say thank you, for his wife, for his family, and for our health.

He knows and cares about how hard it is for breast cancer patients to fight for their life. If they have to fight for their life, even when it is terrifying to do so, then we can fight to. Understanding the pain of losing everything in a second. Understanding that science and love can make a difference. Believing in us, believing in life, and wanting to give back.

“If I am only for myself then what am I, If I am not for myself then who will be for me, If not now, when?” - Rabbi Hillel

From The Artist - Read about Joseph Rozewski's bronze sculpture, "in dignity and grace", and see pictures of the sculpture in progress.