For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, wanted to share some organizations doing important work in the areas of support and research, including Stage 4 / Metastatic Breast Cancer. This is when Breast Cancer spreads to another parts of the body and is sadly why over 40,000 women pass away each year. Katie had MBC and was a bit disheartened by the lack of funding for research for Stage 4 patients, BUT momentum and awareness is growing!
The below three organizations were recently in the news for their work with the MBC community, as well as some with general BC support!!
METAvivor – Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness, Research and Support (www.metavivor.org)
Our lives and experiences differ from the traditional cancer survivor, so we refer to ourselves as METAvivors. We are a thriving community of people living against the odds every day, fighting for the research that could save our lives, raising awareness of the issues facing us, and offering support to patients.
Research
METAvivor has funded 33 grants totaling $2.4 million. We offer research grants annually for metastatic breast cancer research to career metastasis researchers, and Young Investigator Awards for newer researchers in the field.
Take Action
Only 2-5% of money for breast cancer research is dedicated toward metastatic breast cancer, or finding solutions to extend the lives of MBC patients. We need your help to shift the public discussion and prompt action for our disease.
Resources and Support
A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer rocks the world of anyone who hears those words from their doctor. Access to support can make an enormous difference in the ability to cope, find comfort, and keep going.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (www.lbbc.org)
We provide programs and services to help people whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer. Our goal is to provide information, community and support that you can trust, is easy for you to access and respectful of you and your situation. All our resources are carefully and frequently reviewed by some of the country’s leading healthcare experts and informed by people living with breast cancer.
Young Survival Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org)
About Breast Cancer in Young Women
Young women can and do get breast cancer. In fact, more than 13,000 young women are diagnosed every year, and they face challenges that older women don’t. Learn the basics of breast cancer, including the signs and symptoms, risk factors and what to do if you notice any changes in your own breasts.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, download our Newly Diagnosed Navigator, a comprehensive guide just for young women.
The Life of Katie K... 