The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides funding for weight loss surgery through grants. It aims to help people with obesity move from surviving to thriving by empowering them through education, support and access to surgery. Over 300,000 Americans die each year from obesity-related illness but many insurance policies do not cover treatment and applicants often must appeal multiple times to receive approval. The WLSFA is the only charity in the world that funds grants for weight loss surgery and it has provided over a dozen grants since 2011 to help those in need gain access to life-changing procedures.

1. Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America
A 501 ( C ) 3 Public Charity Non-Profit Organization

2. WLSFA Mission:
•Ending Obesity by empowering people to move from surviving to thriving through weight loss surgery, education and support.
•Performing charitable services and supporting research to find solutions to enhance the quality of life of the morbidly obesecommunity.
•Raising awareness and funds for surgery.
“The greatest source of hope and help comes from the compassion of people who themselves were hostage to the disease of morbid obesity“
~ Antonia Namnath Founder of the WLSFA
Self Pay RNY Gastric Bypass Patient 2009
300,000 American die every year from obesity related illness
8 out of 10 Insured American have no coverage for the medical treatment f obesity
80 of people with policies that cover bariatric surgery must appeal two times to gain approval
50% of those people give up or suffer additional medical hardships while waiting, some die
Obesity is a pre-existing condition, the medical treatment for obesity was left out of the Affordable Care Act

4. March 23,2011:Inaugural Grant for Weight Loss Surgery –Connie Bailey Dallas TXSeptember 27,2011:Inaugural Grant for Reconstructive Surgery –Sarah HalbrookPhoenix AZOctober 27,2011:Third Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Jose VedroOncalaFLNovember 11,2011:Forth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Kimberly Grimes Plano TXDecember 27,2011:Fifth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Sheila RendaSprings Archer FLFebruary 16, 2012:Sixth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Darren King Salt Lake City UTAugust 22, 2012:Seventh Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Mandy Gray Portland, ORJanuary 28, 2013:Eighth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Jackie Jackson Louisville, KYMay 31, 2013:Ninth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Trudy Davis, IdahoSeptember 25, 2013:Tenth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Shanta Failey North Charleston, SCDecember 1, 2013:Eleventh Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Ronda BauwensLenexa KS
April 4, 2014:Twelfth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Ms. Heather Hooker ShreveportJuly 21, 2014:Thirteenth Weight Loss Surgery Grant –Ms. Gina Buckingham Dallas TexasOctober 3, 2014 Fourteenth Grant -Inaugural Chapter Grant -Funds secured -recipient search continues..

5. The WLSFA is the only charity in the world funding grants for weight loss surgery.

6. Who gets the grants?
Doctors refer their patients in need to apply for full and partial grants
Grants are awarded all across the country and local chapters fund grants in their area
Blinded Applications are reviewed and approved for funding by a committee of Weight Loss Surgery Patient Volunteers

7. Is there a Chapter in your future?
Chapters raise funds for local grants with membership dues and chapter fundraising events

8. May 3,4,5 2011 Palace Station Hotel Las Vegas NV 353 Attendees
May 11,12,13 2012 Bally’s Hotel Las Vegas NV 450 Attendees
May 10,11,12 2013 Bally’s & Paris Hotel Las Vegas NV 547 Attendees
April 11,12,13 2014 Marriott Hotel Tampa Florida 350 Attendees
April 10,11,12 2015 Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel San Diego CA
JOIN US in 2015!

9. www.wlsfa.org/meetgreet