More than 30 pre-qualified patients from 13 countries to receive free laser treatments in Milan on March 11, 2022
The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) is pleased to announce the 2022 VBF Milan Free Laser Clinic on March 11, 2022, in collaboration with Dr. Giacomo Colletti, VBF Italy Director and Co-Director of VBF Europe; Dr. Matteo Tretti Clementoni, Founder, CEO, and Medical Director of Laserplast; and Candela Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of energy-based devices. This laser clinic is open to all, both adults and children.
“For 2 years our families have not been able to have access to care due to COVID-19 and this free clinic will provide both help and hope to our families living with Vascular Birthmarks, Anomalies, and Related Syndromes (VBARS),” said Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon, president and founder, The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. “There are specific parameters around using lasers on infants and children, and Dr. Giacomo Colletti is one of the leading experts and facial surgeons in Europe for complex vascular malformations.”
The clinic will offer free laser services to children and adults living with VBARS, and the treatments will be performed at Laserplast in Milan, Italy. Candela’s Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of port-wine stains and vascular anomalies in infants and children, as well as adults.
Dr. Konika Patel Schallen, Medical Director and SVP Global Clinical Operations at Candela: “The entire team at Candela is pleased to be able to bring this impactful technology directly to patients in partnership with the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. It is an essential part of our mission to continue to provide support for meaningful events such as this and to maintain our commitment to treatments rooted in science that provide results and build trust within our provider and patient communities.”
This free laser clinic is part of VBF’s mission to network families affected by VBARS to the appropriate medical professionals for evaluation and/or treatment, provide informational resources, sponsor physician education, mobilize medical missions, collaborate on research, and support programs that promote acceptance. At VBF’s national and international clinics, free laser treatments are offered to patients who cannot afford or have limited access to treatment. VBF is committed to ensuring that every patient gets fair and equal access to the latest treatment options for all vascular birthmarks, anomalies, tumors or related syndromes.
Dr. Giacomo Colletti: “I am very proud to join forces with VBF and Laserplast for the benefit of VBARS patients with the aim of helping families and individuals living with VBARS receive an accurate diagnosis and laser treatment no matter their socio-economic background.”
Dr. Matteo Tretti Clementoni: “I am extremely happy and proud to host such an important event in my clinic. Laserplast started years ago to carry on several pro-bono initiatives, such as treatments on severe burn patients or treatments of the tattoos for radiotherapy on breast cancer survivors, and this initiative fills my heart with joy. The procedures being offered are really life-changing.”
As part of an ongoing program of free laser clinics, the next free clinic will be held with Dr. Pooja Sodha at George Washington University in Washington D.C., on Friday, May 20, 2022.
