The Educational and Research Foundation of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS Foundation) and the Candela Corporation announce a collaboration that will support survivors of domestic violence.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Often, these injuries occur on the face, head, and neck.

FACE TO FACE: The Domestic Violence Project is one of three arms to the AAFPRS Foundation’s humanitarian programs. Through this life-altering program, AAFPRS members offer pro bono facial plastic and reconstructive surgery to domestic violence survivors to repair injuries on the face, head, and neck caused by an intimate partner or spouse.

FACE TO FACE: The Domestic Violence Project aims to change the lives of survivors (who are overwhelmingly women) and encourage them to empower their own lives and free themselves from harmful situations to go on to live successful, happy lives. The facial plastic surgeons who have participated in the program have helped more than 1,000 women since its inception in 1994, explains a media release from AAFPRS and Candela.

“Our FACE TO FACE: The Domestic Violence Project helps rebuild the lives of individuals by improving the visible evidence of the suffering they have endured. The FACE TO FACE surgeons involved assist in helping these survivors heal, putting the trauma behind them to live successful and happy lives,” says Westchester, NY, facial plastic surgeon Manoj T. Abraham, MD, chair of the AAFPRS Foundation FACE TO FACE Program, in the release.

“The AAFPRS Foundation is pleased to partner with Candela, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and other companies, foundations and individuals to help us achieve this goal.”

The AAFPRS Foundation is establishing funding to support individuals whose injuries go beyond what the AAFPRS physician services can offer, such as a hospital stay or anesthesiologist fees. Candela has provided the seed money to establish this funding. In addition, the AAFPRS and Candela are collaborating to outline state-of-the-art protocols for instances where Candela’s Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser system will be used by FACE TO FACE surgeons to assist patients that require the treatment of scars or trauma-induced purpura.

“Candela is honored to partner with the AAFPRS Foundation and its FACE TO FACE program to assist in providing pro bono treatments with Vbeam systems to domestic violence survivors to help improve their overall quality of life,” states Geoffrey Crouse, chief executive officer of Candela. “This collaboration, along with the recent FDA clearance of our newest and most advanced Pulsed Dye Laser, the Vbeam Prima, showcases Candela’s long standing commitment to furthering science in order to help to change lives.”

“The AAFPRS Foundation is in the process of seeking new and innovative approaches to continue to deliver our vital FACE TO FACE humanitarian programs,” observes Steve Jurich, AAFPRS Foundation executive vice president & CEO. “And we are deeply appreciative of Candela’s meaningful support to help fund the opportunity to allow FACE TO FACE survivors with scars access to treatments with the company’s state-of-the-art laser at no cost. This is a wonderful example of how the AAFPRS Foundation and industry can partner together to advance the quality of life of domestic abuse survivors.”

[Source: Kelz PR]