Cancer is a cruel disease. It enters our lives like a thief in the night. It changes our lives instantly when it affects us, a family member, or a friend. Cancer has struck our family more than once and we’re lucky to be able to say two of my aunts have both conquered breast cancer.
There is good news this year for MBCA Day as overall fewer people in the U.S. are dying from breast cancer and those living with the disease are living longer
Inspiration
I couldn’t pick just one of my aunts to write about because they are both so inspirational. They are passionate about helping others, always have kind and inspiring words to say and never sharing their burden with you.
When they tell their story, it’s a story about survival, how to handle it positively, keep high spirits, and thank god for the love and support of family.
Strength
One aunt has been cancer free for many years and to this day will take on anything head on. My other aunt has shown courage and strength, always greeting you with a smile and has been cancer free for a couple years. They are both true warriors and will be on defense to win this battle.
To watch a family member swallowed up by this monster of destruction is torture. I know many people who have watched moms and sisters pass, feeling helpless because there was nothing they could do.
It’s time we took a stand against cancer and get involved.
This year, the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community will honor the 5th Anniversary of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness (MBCA) Day on October 13, which was established in 2008 to recognize the unique needs of people living with MBC, also known as Stage IV or advanced breast cancer.
A lot has changed since MBCA Day was initiated five years ago to bring awareness and most importantly new treatment options to those living with MBC. There is good news this year for MBCA Day as overall fewer people in the U.S. are dying from breast cancer and those living with the disease are living longer according to a national report on cancer incidence by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Cancer Society (ACS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR).
However, there is still much work to be done as we look ahead to the next five years as approximately 40,000 people die each year from MBC and while new medicines are providing more options; there still is no cure.
Genentech is launching a new interactive video wall on Facesofmbc.org to gather sentiments on what the 5th Anniversary of MBCA Day means to those within the MBC community and their family and friends. Faces of MBC is asking participants to share through photos, words of wisdom and videos:
Genentech will donate $10 for each new upload and $1 for every unique page visit to nonprofits that support MBC initiatives (up to $20,000). Everyone can make a difference!
Help Faces of MBC celebrate the successes of the last five years and continue to push for future progress.
Faces of MBC Overview
- Genentech has partnered with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, and MetaVivor to recognize the 155,000 people living in the US with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), a disease for which there currently is no cure. Beyond seeking a cure, these women hope for more acceptance, support and resources. Unlike those with early stage breast cancer, these people will likely remain on treatment for the rest of their lives.
- To help understand MBC families’ unique support needs, Genentech created a survey and used results from the survey to develop a sequel to last year’s Faces of MBC video, featuring real women living with the disease and their supporters.
More about Metastatic Breast Cancer
- 155,000 people in the United States are living with metastatic breast cancer, also known as advanced breast cancer.
- Breast cancer is considered metastatic when it has spread from the breast to another part of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs or brain.
- Currently, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer.
Check out 5 Minutes for Mom for more information about MBC and Faces of MBC.
Connect with FMBC
Please visit www.facesofmbc.org,
follow @FacesofMBC
Use hashtag #MBCProgress and share with your friends and family.
*disclosure- We are part of a campaign for MBC and received compensation but all opinions and stories are our own*
