Every day 117 people in the U.S. die of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as Stage 4, where the breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Funding MBC research is the only way to find a cure!

ABOUT ME

Here is why we raise funds for MBC research.

●685,000 people a year die from metastatic breast cancer globally
●Over 43,000 die each year in the U.S. alone. That’s approximately 117 people per day!
●Only 31% of U.S. MBC patients live longer than 5 years
●Average life expectancy is 2-3 years after a MBC diagnosis
●Approx 20-30% of early stage breast cancer survivors will have a recurrence as MBC
 

MEET the Long Island MBC Sisters

Allison Spina

After thinking I left cancer behind me, I was diagnosed in October 2021 with metastatic breast cancer.  This October marks 4 years of fighting, and I am on my 3rd line of treatment. I have achieved total acceptance of my fate, but would love to hear the words “you are cured.” I look for beauty in the world around me each and every day, and I am grateful for my amazing life.

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Suzanne Lynn

I never had early stage breast cancer, I was diagnosed de novo…already stage 4 at diagnosis. I had a lot to learn…and I’m still learning. I feel I often have to explain my experience with breast cancer…I’ve had no surgeries, never lost my hair, I look healthy! How can I have breast cancer? I’m so grateful for the research that has come before my diagnosis, so I can keep living my big, busy, beautiful and very full life.

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Kathleen Friel

While on a business trip, I experienced intense back pain that everyone assumed was a consequence of my cerebral palsy (CP). To my horror, it was a metastatic breast cancer tumor in my spine. How was this possible, since I’d recently had a “clear” mammogram? I was immediately flung into the deep end of the cancer pool. Seven years later, I’m still swimming - my medical team and I continually work to address my complex health issues as a person living with MBC and CP.  

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Nicole Herrador

After a stage 0 DCIS diagnosis at 35 and being told I was cured with my double mastectomy, never could I imagine I would be diagnosed with Stage 4 seven years later. In that moment my time left with my 2 young kids lives flashed before my eyes with fear of what I may not be able to experience with them. But I made the decision to not let this define me and I'm trying to live life to its fullest and create new memories every day.

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Elena Hatzakos

At 5 months pregnant, I kept going to specialists to see why my back pain was unbearable. I ended up in the hospital with two spinal fractures, a denovo Stage IV diagnosis and a STAT spinal reconstruction surgery that resulted in my daughter’s death. Three and a half years later I continue to be NEAD on my third line of treatment, became a certified MBC mentor with two agencies, and most importantly still here making memories with my two young boys. Every milestone is an unbelievable gift.

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Cookie Graff

i spent about a year seeing doctors, and taking tests to find the reason for my pain, I wound up in pain management, PT (and replaced most of my furniture as I never felt comfortable.) Noticed a swollen gland that hadn’t gone down in weeks, a few tests later, was diagnosed de Novo MBC in December 2022.  I got 10 rounds of radiation on my spine and femur, surgery to put a rod in my femur. In October 2024 I started my 4th combo of meds and January 2025 got my first positive petscan result which I’m praying will continue for a long time!

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Judy Greiman

I never missed a mammogram/ultrasound but in March 2023 I had a perfect mammo but an ultrasound that showed a swollen lymph node. Came back in June to redo and had another perfect mammo but two swollen lymph nodes. Had a few more mammo but there were no abnormalities. Had biopsy of the lymph, which showed breast cancer. Had MRI which finally showed a very hard to see breast tumor. Biopsy showed breast cancer. Finally had aPET scan that showed metastasis in my neck while a genetic test showed the BRCA2 mutation.  This was all quite a surprise and would not have been caught had I not had the US. I’ve had chemo and am now on meds. No progression yet and minimal side effects. I’ve chosen to live a joyful life while I manage this disease.

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Susan Mulder

In 2017, after nearly four years of seeing a breast specialist, undergoing biopsies and scans, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that had spread to my bones. The news was shocking and devastating. I began treatment immediately with Ibrance and Letrozole, which thankfully kept the cancer controlled for seven years. I am now on my third line of treatment after the cancer spread to my liver. Living with a terminal illness has changed my perspective—I’ve learned to treasure the small moments and feel grateful for the big milestones. My husband and three daughters give me the strength and determination to keep going through the hardest times.

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Trisha Poole

February 2020, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer stage 3, started Adriomycin then Carbo and Taxol, surgery, 5+ weeks of radiation and then xeloda.  However, by December 2020, the Triple Negative Breast Cancer metastasized to my hip bone and I was diagnosed TNBC stage 4.  Keytruda, carbo and gemcitabine infusion treatments worked for 2+ years until I had a seizure in May 2023.  After scans, we were told the TNBC had metastasized to my brain.  After 3 radiation treatments to my brain, I experienced radiation necrosis which caused brain swelling which pushed my brain off center by 4.9 mm. However, after 2 infusion treatments of Avastin to reduce brain swelling, 2+ years and currently still on Trodelvy, I’m grateful that my last scans showed I am NEAD and the brain swelling is almost gone.

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Brooke Schneider

In June 2024, the fear that my stage 3 breast cancer from 2018 would return metastasized became a reality. It was/is now in my bones and liver.  I am on my 3rd line of treatment in one year and it scares me. Each line comes with side effects that impact my day to day life and the pain changes day to day.  I don’t know what the future holds but I continue to fight because I have beautiful children who need and love me, a husband who loves me, and a life to live while I can.  This disease affects not just me but my entire family but I don’t want it to define us. We are more than just the family with a mom with cancer, But I pray each day that  I live long enough to see the next best treatment come out to give me more time.  

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Valerie Blinn

I was diagnosed with stage four triple positive breast cancer in 2011 and have been fortunate enough to respond well to treatment with Herceptin, anastrozol, and Perjeta, and now receive Phesgo shots,  which combine both drugs also every three weeks. I have been NED since 2020.I wish the same success for everyone affected by this horrible disease.

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Beth McManus

Nearly 20 years passed between my Stage 1 TNBC dx and late-Stage 4 recurrence. From 2019-2021, I sought medical help from numerous providers for unremitting back pain, never once suspecting, or having it suggested that this could be a sign of recurrent or MBC. In 2002, I was diagnosed with early-onset TNBC at age 33. I received aggressive chemo, surgery, radiation, and later prophylactic surgeries after learning I was BRCA1.

Believing my cancer was over and done, the shock I felt when I learned that the actual cause of my back pain was advanced MBC, with innumerable mets to my skeletal and lymph systems, as well as my liver, lungs, adrenals, pancreas, peritoneal cavity, muscles and subcutaneous tissue, was indescribable. Not only had my body let me down, but so had the medical community I had placed all my trust in. Later I learned that even today, the medical community is inadequately educated on late-recurrence of breast cancer.

Over the course of those 20 years, more promising treatments for TNBC and BRCA had been developed, including immunotherapy and PARP inhibitors. With those and an aggressive multi-chemo protocol, I reached NEAD in 2023.

I will gladly use the rest of my time on earth banging the drum of late-recurrence, and advising others to listen to their bodies if something just doesn’t seem right. I will also push for increased support of scientific/medical research in our country, because our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren literally depend on science moving forward, not backwards.

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Elizabeth Cuccia

WHAT IS #LightUpMBC ?

The #LightUpMBC campaign is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) research to benefit METAvivor. Held annually in October, the campaign partners with hundreds of iconic landmarks around the world to illuminate in the symbolic MBC awareness colors of green, teal, and pink. By uniting patients, families, and supporters, #LightUpMBC shines a spotlight on the urgent need for more research and resources to improve outcomes for MBC patients.

#LightUpMBC Live is a dynamic virtual event that serves as the centerpiece of the #LightUpMBC campaign, bringing together the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community and its supporters for an evening of storytelling, inspiration, and impact. Hosted annually on October 13 on Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, this live-streamed program features powerful stories from MBC patients and their families, musical performances, and appearances by special guests who amplify the mission of raising awareness and funds for MBC research. #LightUpMBC Live provides a platform for education and advocacy, highlighting the urgency of funding scientific breakthroughs for the most advanced stage of breast cancer. For more info on how to watch, get involved, or view the list of participating landmarks, please visit www.LightUpMBC.org

TAKE ACTION TODAY

Follow @LightUpMBC on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected to our campaign! 

Use #LightUpMBC and #METAvivor tags in all social posts to help raise awareness.

Support METAvivor Research and Support by making a donation through this page, and be sure to share with friends! 

Thank you!