I'm a little late but ...On a serious note, my friends, I would be remiss if I did not share my wife's post about metastatic breast cancer.  October is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and October 13th is "Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day" and this is what she would want me to share.

"Think Pink, buy Pink, walk for Pink. Yes, yes, yes! Awareness is needed, for sure. Awareness is working, for sure. I think 5 in 8 women diagnosed can be said to be “cured” after treatment. Yes, Pink is great but (yeah, I said it, BUT) I can tell you —as a person with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer— MBC still needs more than awareness. We need more research. Lots more!

Just wearing, buying, or walking for "pink" does not reduce deaths from breast cancer. ln the United States, someone dies from breast cancer every 14 minutes. Despite huge awareness and funds, this number has not decreased significantly in nearly 40 years. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the US and 1 in 3 of those will become metastatic. Yes, Stage 4 critically needs much more.

It is challenging, however, for various reasons. The biggest obstacle is the lack of funding. Only an estimated 5% of the funds raised for breast cancer research is spent on studies of breast cancer metastasis. Did you know that? Can you believe that! …only 5%! With 30% of the people diagnosed with breast cancer expected to experience a metastasis and another 6% initially diagnosed at Stage 4, you would think more research dollars would be earmarked for MBC. This has to change and through the advocacy and efforts of METavivor, BCRF, and others, this can happen. METAvivor works diligently to raise funds for MBC research. The current funding disparity is deadly and METAvivor will tirelessly advocate for equity until 30% of breast cancer funds are allocated to research that will ultimately improve the quality, or save the lives, of metastatic breast cancer patients. The message is getting out and this month you will definitely hear more about “awareness pink” but you will also hear and learn about (maybe for the first time) “MBC green, pink, and teal.” You can learn more about MBC at https://www.metavivor.org/about-us/  

Sorry for the long post but … it is awareness month and the MBC story and colors should be known and shared. So, please share. 

And please, please, please get your yearly mamm. Nag your wife, mom, family member or friend to do it too. Early detection is still, and always, the first and best protection. God bless all of the Pink and METAvivor sisters (and brothers —it affects men, too) and their families.'

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