WHO WE ARE: The METAvivor Research and Support Program evolved out of a local support group established in Annapolis, Maryland in 2007 for persons with metastatic breast cancer.  The program is run by and for those with metastatic breast cancer.  In our first 13 months our group grew to 27 members and we expanded our focus.  In April 2008 we designed and produced a metastatic breast cancer awareness ribbon pin (see our store).  Shortly thereafter we began receiving calls asking if we would assist people in other geographic areas establish their own local support groups.  We readily agreed.  And by July 2008 we had begun raising funds for research targeting metastatic breast cancer – a vastly under funded area of research.   

In January 2009 our group incorporated under the name METAvivor Research & Support Inc.. In May 2009 we were awarded 501 (c) (3) status as a charitable organization, retroactive to our incorporation date of January 13, 2009).

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THE NAME - “METAVIVOR”:  We combined “vivor” (from “survivor”) with “meta” (from “metastasis”) to form the word “metavivor”.  We use the term when referring to persons, such as ourselves, who are living with metastatic cancer.  We find it preferable to, and more descriptive, than the word “survivor”.  We consider the term “survivor” to be more appropriate for persons who are expected to actually “survive” their disease.

OUR FOCUS:  Metastatic Breast Cancer

OUR RIBBON: Our ribbon was selected with the following in mind:

DEFINITION:  Metastatic breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells enter the blood system and spread to distant parts of the body -- most commonly the lung, bones, liver and brain.   It strikes both women and men.  The disease is not curable and is not considered survivable.

METAVIVOR RESEARCH & SUPPORT PROGRAM: The program is based in Annapolis MD.  It was established and is run entirely by volunteers, who have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.  Added support comes from friends and family who care.

OUR MOTTO: METAvivors Wage War on Stage IV Breast Cancer. 

OUR GOAL: "To make a Difference".   Want to help?  Let us know!  We welcome all offers.

OUR MISSION:

• To support research with the ultimate goal of transitioning metastatic breast cancer from a terminal condition to a controlled,  chronic disease.
  
  
• To offer a face-to-face support program to persons with metastatic breast cancer living in the Annapolis, Maryland area.
  
  
• To offer advice to persons in other locations, who wish to start their own metastatic breast cancer support programs.
  
  
• To raise public awareness of this often unrecognized and unsupported condition.

DETAILS ON METASTATIC BREAST CANCER

HOW COMMON IS METASTATIC BREAST CANCER?  Approximately 30% of persons diagnosed with early stage breast cancer eventually metastasize.  A significant number of persons are diagnosed with their initial breast cancer and metastasis at the same time.  In 2008, almost 49,000 women and men received the diagnosis and 41,000 died of the condition. As to how many are actually living with metastatic breast cancer, we have seen estimates ranging from 170,000 to 250,000, but have found no sourced data to support any of these figures or any indication that this statistic is collected, consolidated or maintained by any organization or individual.  Worldwide, metastatic breast cancer is the highest killer of women with almost 500,000 dying of the disease annually.

WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS?  Although statistics exist and will be posted on this website as we find them, it is important to note that no one can predict how long a given individual will live with the disease. The median survival after diagnosis is only three years; this statistic has had no statistically significant change in over 20 years.  Nevertheless, as many as 27% of those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer now live five years past diagnosis and some individuals live 10 and even 20 years with the disease.