Well, it's October people - Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
And I'm going to take the opportunity to hopefully spread a little awareness ... and ask for some money (For a good cause. Not for my new shoe fund)!😉
Did you know that:
Only 2-7% of funds raised for breast cancer research actually go to the study of metastasis?
Breast cancer can only kill you if you have metastatic (aka stage IV) breast cancer?
For men and women living with metastatic breast cancer, treatment will NEVER be over.
Think on all of that for a minute.
And while (almost) any awareness is good, MUCH MORE AWARENESS + EDUCATION + ADVOCACY + RESEARCH needs to happen for Metastatic Breast Cancer (aka MBC, secondary breast cancer, advanced breast cancer, stage IV breast cancer).
It's so important to educate ourselves, and others, on what it means to have this disease. And while we've come far, we've not come near far enough - especially when it comes to MBC research & awareness.
I read a post the other day on Instagram, that was really eye opening for me. I don't know that I had ever quite looked at it in that way before. But when I read it, it hit home for me!
"Primaries, we want to help you by eradicating your fear of being one of the 30% - myself and 1000's of others are sadly already living this nightmare and it may be too late for us to benefit from the work we're doing now. You however could benefit. I hope you understand. We can only move forward and make progress if we talk about it and shout out the inadequacies, the inequalities and the disparities in #SBC (secondary breast cancer) care. You can start helping yourselves and us by tapping in to the charities and organizations who 100% care about your future."
And this is so damned true!
I shared the post to my stories, and that opened the door to a conversation with the incredible woman who wrote it. Here's a snippit of that convo ...
So thank you Mary. Thank you for providing me with the AH-HA moment that I needed. I most definitely have seen the light! 🖤
And with all of that being said, Rethink Breast Cancer and Turning The Page On Cancer have partnered to raise more awareness AND funds for Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Research - and I am honoured to be a part of this fundraising team!
On October 25th I'll be taking part in an all-day Read-A-Thon, hosted by Turning The Page On Cancer, to help raise funds and awareness for metastatic breast cancer research, and I'm asking for your help in reaching (and hopefully exceeding) my goal.
All funds donated will go directly to the MBC FUND at Rethink Breast Cancer, which is an incredible organization that has provided me with a community of amazing women who are also living with breast cancer. The support and resources that they provide us with are invaluable. And they really get behind their Metavivors!
While we of course want your money, I also understand that it's a wild and crazy time right now. So if you're not able to donate (and even if you are), then might I ask that you pledge to become a MBC Ally. It won't cost you anything except for a few moments of your time. This Movement was created with the goal of doubling the overall survival of MBC by 2025, and each of you can help us reach the goal of 10,000 pledges.
ALSO, Indego (books) has also joined in on the fun, with their own fundraiser. For every e-gift card purchased, 15% will be donated to Turn The Page On Cancer.
And this is open to everyone! You simply buy a gift card on their site (for yourself or as a gift), and it will be sent directly to your email and can be used immediately in store or online.
P.S.
Please feel free to share (all of) this with your friends and family, and on social. The more awareness we can create, the better. And the more funds raised, the more research we'll see!
Also, huge shout outs and thanks to Samantha from @TurningThePageOnCancer for creating a fundraiser that allows me to sit on my ass and read all day while fulfilling my obligation!
I'm taking book suggestions, so drop any referrals below.
And lastly, a Warm and Happy Thanksgiving goes out to all of my Canadian peeps! 🇨🇦 🍁 🦃