Hunstad Kortesis Plastic Surgery + Med Spa announces the launch of Emerging Hopes – an annual philanthropic initiative that will gift up to $175,000 of life-changing plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures to those who need it most, but simply can't afford it.

The program is open to adults in the Greater Charlotte Region in North and South Carolina who are at least 21 years old and could benefit physically and emotionally from cosmetic surgical procedures. This includes: victims of domestic violence; cancer survivors; accident victims; and those whose insurance won't cover plastic surgery to correct issues like birth defects, excess skin removal and more.

"Our main purpose is to restore lost confidence, dignity and hope for those who just don't have the resources to obtain the plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures they need," said Bill Kortesis, MD, FACS, co-owner of Hunstad Kortesis.

"It is also our hope and dream that many of our industry colleagues will join in on this important and caring initiative in the future," added Joseph P. Hunstad, MD, FACS, founder of Hunstad Kortesis. " We would love to see Emerging Hopes become a national program with thousands of recipients each year."

"This will be a profoundly life changing experience for our recipients as well as our medical team," said Gaurav Bharti, MD. "There is no other program like it in the Charlotte area."

Emerging Hopes is taking applications now through Friday, June 3, 2016. Up to ten deserving individuals will be selected by an impartial Advisory Panel. A complete list of qualifications, selection criteria and the application itself can be found online at emerginghopes.org. Those selected will receive their needed surgical procedures during August and September of this year. All surgeries and procedures will be performed by the team of board-certified surgeons and anesthesiologists at Hunstad Kortesis Plastic Surgery + Med Spa.