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
Hi my name is Jennifer Ciaravino and I live in Toms River, NJ. My husband is Joseph and we have two children Isabella (17) and Aiden (13). In November of 2020 I contracted Covid. After 11 days of having the virus I had unbearable pain in the center of my chest and left breast. After seeking attention by many doctors, they just kept telling me I was a “long hauler "of Covid until one morning in January of 2021. I found a lump in my left breast. I went for a mammogram, and they discovered three masses, two in my breast, and one in my armpit.
After being told I had cancer I went to Memorial Sloan-Kettering, where I had further testing with a CT scan and a PET scan to see if the cancer had spread anywhere else. At the age of 42 I was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer. The cancer had spread to several of my bones including my sternum, ribs, left femur, hip, spine, and shoulders. I would go on to have multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. It was a long 2021.
When you are metastatic you are on treatment for the rest of your life. Stage 4 is not curable but it is treatable! Today I am on my second line of treatment and hoping I get many years with it! Once the cancer has outsmarted the chemo, you move onto the next treatment, and so on and so forth for the rest of your life. I pray every day to have as many days, years, moments, memories as I can with my family! I hope to see my kids have a family of their own one day! I will not wait for the good stuff or sweat the small things anymore! Life is a gift!
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!