Avance Nerve Graft Recipient Selected to Ride on Donate Life Rose Parade Float

Parade float will highlight the life-changing power of tissue and organ donation

ALACHUA, Fla., Dec. 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXGN), a global leader in developing and marketing innovative surgical solutions for damage or transection to peripheral nerves, today announced Jessica de Paz has been selected to ride on the 2020 Donate Life Rose Parade float that will be featured in the annual Tournament of Roses parade. The parade takes place on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. This is the seventh year that Axogen has co-sponsored the Donate Life float.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in June 2017, Jessica underwent a grueling five months of chemotherapy followed by a double mastectomy. When breast tissue is removed during a mastectomy, the nerves that provide feeling to the breast are severed and the nerve signals are disrupted, often resulting in numbness and loss of feeling in the breast area. This lack of sensation can add physical and emotional burden for women following the challenges they have already endured with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Jessica planned to have her breasts reconstructed, but she was concerned about ever feeling connected to a chest that was permanently numb.

Thankfully, Jessica’s surgeon was able to reconnect the nerves in her chest to nerves in her newly reconstructed breasts using the Avance Nerve Graft and the Resensation surgical technique. The procedure ultimately allowed the nerves to regenerate, restoring sensation. Jessica is now back to work as a nurse and patient advocate and can once again feel the hugs of her two children.   

“If it weren’t for the generosity of a nerve tissue donor and the expertise of a skilled surgeon I could be living with numb breasts for the rest of my life,” said Jessica. “I am grateful for both the kindness and the science that allows the gift of donation to save and improve the lives of so many patients. I look forward to sharing my personal story as a rider on the Donate Life Rose Parade float.”

Avance Nerve Graft is an off the shelf processed human nerve allograft intended for the surgical repair of peripheral nerve discontinuities. Nerve damage can result in loss of sensation or movement and reduced quality of life. Damaged peripheral nerves can be surgically repaired, but the window of time for an effective outcome is limited, so expertise from a nerve specialist should be sought quickly. Axogen is dedicated to revolutionizing the science of nerve repair by providing innovative solutions to surgeons and their patients.