Rose*, a recipient of a life-changing free surgery from Braemar Charitable Trust, can’t say thank you often enough for her procedure.
The South Waikato woman in her mid-20s had struggled since she was 13 with extremely large breasts that caused physical problems, permanent discomfort and emotional distress.
Although her J-cup size breasts caused back pain and sleeping and breathing issues, she did not meet the threshold to get help through the public system, despite many years of trying. Last year that all changed when Rose’s case was accepted by Braemar Charitable Trust and breast-reduction surgery in early August.
The Trust is the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand’s largest private hospitals. The Trust’s charitable activities include funding scholarships, health training and medical research and it has a Community Surgery Programme aimed at improving health outcomes in communities. The programme assists patients who have been declined or face extensive wait times in the public system and have neither ACC, health insurance nor the financial means to fund private surgery.
Plastics surgeon Bulent Yaprak, a specialist who is credentialed to work at Braemar Hospital, performed the breast reduction surgery for Rose, removing a total of 3kgs of breast tissue and changing her life dramatically.
“I am so grateful,” Rose says. “I can’t say thank you enough. You gave me more than anyone else could have given, I’m so grateful and really fulfilled. My life has truly improved 1000 times.”
Rose says it’s now a pleasure to shop for medium-sized clothes that easily fit rather than the men’s 2XL tops she previously had to wear. Buying DD-cup bras is now easy and cheap, and she’s physically lighter and more active, taking part again in cultural dance and enjoying blending in with others rather than standing out.
“It’s weird – I’m only in my 20s but I feel like this surgery has given me my youth back. Since I was 13, I was stuck in a body that did not match my age. This has allowed me to feel young, comfortable in my own skin and express myself.”
Rose is full of praise for Braemar Charitable Trust and Braemar Hospital where she had the procedure and recuperated. “It is a beautiful team of people among amazing facilities. I can’t say enough good things. Every single person in this whole journey with the Trust and Hospital was amazing.”
And what would she say to those individuals or organisations considering supporting Braemar Charitable Trust’s work with donations or funding? “I would encourage them to understand that they are helping people who would otherwise be stuck – they can’t access help in the public system and they can’t afford to pay for surgery themselves. Consider that these are all individual situations and please help people be rid of their physical restrictions so they can live their lives in the best way.”
She’s a strong advocate for Braemar Charitable Trust and tells everyone in her network about its work. “If shining a light on patients such as myself helps people understand the importance of the Trust’s work, that’s great, but I think we should also shine a light on the people who make all this happen. I can’t say thank you enough.”
The Trust’s wide range of free community surgeries are delivered by surgeons and anaesthetists who are credentialed to work at Braemar Hospital and want to donate their time. The Trust pays for other costs including nursing and consumables. Since 1 April 2024, over 140 people have had free surgeries and procedures as part of the Trust’s programme designed to help improve health outcomes.
Braemar Charitable Trust Manager Paula Baker says the Trust has been in existence for more than 50 years and has a long history of providing free surgeries for those who have been turned down or can’t access timely help through the public system. “The success of this programme is due to the surgeons and anaesthetists who give their time pro-bono, and also to the many other volunteers who give their time to help.”
People wishing to support Braemar Charitable Trust’s work can donate via a new online Donations Portal
Donors can pay for a specific surgical procedure as part of the Trust’s Community Surgery Programme, or make donations towards scholarships, research or a general fund.
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* Rose’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.
ENDS
For further information – not for publication:
Paula Baker MNZM
Manager, Braemar Charitable Trust
027 224 2316
