The following post is sponsored by Genentech’s Faces of MBC
Get your box of tissues and be ready to be moved. Breast cancer has affected all of us in one way or another. As a mom, sister, daughter, friend, or co-worker, we are all familiar with the emotional rollercoaster that goes along with a breast cancer diagnosis.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we wanted to highlight a positive organization and way to support those you love that have been affected by this disease.
MBCA Day
Sunday, October 13th is the 5th Anniversary of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness (MBCA) Day. This day was established in 2008 to recognize the unique needs of people living with MBC, also known as Stage IV or advanced breast cancer. While a lot has changed since MBCA Day was initiated, approximately 40,000 people still die each year from MBC.
What is MBC?
MBC is breast cancer that has spread from the breast to another part of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs or brain. 155,000 people in the United States are currently living with metastatic breast cancer, also known as advanced breast cancer. While new medicines are providing more options, there is still no cure.
Faces of MBC Interactive Video Wall
The new video wall on Facesofmbc.org features members of the MBC community as well as their friends and family speaking about how MBC has impacted their lives. What you’ll find are stories of hope, inspiration, strength and gratitude. Not only that, but for every visit, Genentech will donate $1 to MBC initiatives up to $20,000.
Inspirational Stories
Here’s where the tissues come in. The strength and wisdom these fellow moms have to share will touch you as a fellow mother, woman, and friend.
Sarah S:
“I have been living with metastatic breast cancer for a year and a half. I have learned that women with metastatic disease are the bravest, most courageous, strongest, most positive women on this earth.”
Carol M:
“I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. I’m a wife of 24 years and a mom to three wonderful children who are ages 18, 16 and 14. I’ve learned a lot through having this disease and it’s made me a better person in a lot of ways.”
Lindsay Giannobile
Newlywed Lindsay Giannobile was looking forward to starting a family when, at only 27 years old, she felt a lump in her breast. After being turned away from the hospital twice because she was “too young” to have breast cancer, Lindsay was diagnosed with Stage III HER2-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. Prior to enduring months of intense chemotherapy, radiation, and several surgeries, Lindsay had 26 of her eggs preserved, since the cancer treatments would likely cause permanent or temporary infertility.
Following six months of treatment, Lindsay was declared “cancer-free,” but late in 2011 doctors discovered the cancer had spread to Lindsay’s bones, meaning the cancer was now metastatic, an incurable form of the disease. Lindsay found comfort in knowing that the cancer can stay contained to the bones for many years and be managed with the treatment of several different targeted therapies, such as Herceptin.
Now, at age 30, Lindsay and her husband Tony are embracing the next big change in their lives: becoming parents. Their biological son Rocco was born on May 15, 2013 via a surrogate mother, a close friend who was Lindsay’s former oncology nurse. Lindsay wants other young women to know that it’s okay to ask questions about breast cancer, especially if you’re young. Lindsay advises other young women to always trust their instinct and get a second opinion if they feel something’s not right with their bodies.
What You Can Do:
Support Faces of MBC by visiting the website at www.facesofmbc.org. 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!
“Like” Faces of MBC and post an update to your Wall on Facebook
Follow @FacesofMBC and the hashtag #MBCProgress and share with your friends and family.
Send a link to the video wall to your friends and family via e-mail.
