#LightUpMBC 2021

What is #LightUpMBC?

#LightUpMBC is an annual global landmark campaign, that shines a light on the importance of awareness and funding for MBC.  

Oour virtual broadcast #LightUpMBC Live which featured inspiring stories told by MBC patients, illuminated landmarks and musical guests including Tom Morello, Rob Thomas and Kristin Chenoweth.

Missed the live event? Watch Now!

What is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day?

October 13th  is nationally recognized as the official Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, in an effort to drive awareness that MORE research needs to be done to find a cure. Only about 5% of overall breast cancer research in the U.S. goes to MBC research. If we can find a cure for MBC, we can end death from breast cancer. 

• Approximately 30% of early stage breast cancer survivors will have a recurrence as metastatic disease, even after completing successful treatment.
• Metastases can occur as early as several months to 25+ years after treatment.
• 685,000 people a year die from metastatic breast cancer globally. 
• Only 22% of U.S. MBC patients live longer than 5 years, and only 11% of live longer than 10 years.

Due to a lack of public knowledge around MBC, compared with early stage breast cancer there are many widespread misperceptions. There currently there is NO CURE for MBC and early detection will NOT prevent this disease from metastasizing to bones, liver, lungs and brain.  

• MBC patients are in treatment for the rest of our short lives and are scanned every three months to find if cancer has progressed.  Cancer cells will eventually outsmart current available treatment methods.
• Scanxiety is felt by most MBC patients, the apprehension of consistent scan results.
• In the U.S. 25% of cancer patients can't afford to pay for treatment.
• MBC patients don't always look sick because MBC can be invisible from the outside.

Why green, teal and pink?

The pink ribbon is well-known for representing the fight against breast cancer, but most MBC patients feel that pink does not encapsulate their experience. Metastatic Breast Cancer may start in the breast, but its spread to vital organs and/or bones which makes the disease fatal. 
To highlight the uniqueness of the disease and show its commonality with other Stage IV cancers, METAvivor designed a base ribbon of green and teal to represent metastasis. 

• Green represents renewal, hope, and immortality
• Teal symbolizes healing and spirituality
• Pink signifies the metastatic cancer originated in the breast

See this story from Glamour 

The inspiration behind the campaign

Jessica Moore was a nurse at a skilled care unit. She embodied the word “care”, dedicated her life as a healthcare worker to helping others and was even recognized with the “Caregiver of the Year” award by the organization that she worked for.  At the age of 32, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and passed away from the disease less than 4 years later.  During her treatment, her family formed the Moore Fight Moore Strong (MFMS) organization to shine a light on the need for MBC awareness & research.  In October 2017, the first bridge to light in MBC colors was the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, NH near her hometown. #LightUpMBC is the result of years of hard work from MFMS to light up the world to bring awareness and funding to critical MBC research.  

Participating Landmarks 2021

See if your city participated in #LightUpMBC 2021.  

Snaped a photo of a participating landmark in your city? Be sure you tagged #LightUpMBC #METAvivor on Facebook or Instagram.

Feel the unity of that night as landmarks around the world  shined a light on the importance of awareness and funding for Metastatic Breast Cancer research.

Shawn Pierce Photography

#LightUpMBC Apparel  Our 2021 #LightUpMBC Store is now CLOSED! All participating cities as of 8/30 will featured on the apparel. This will be a great memento of a meaningful evening. Orders will arrive after the event, around November. Support the cause and purchase #LightUpMBC apparel now!  Shop Now Note: Use the "click to view more apparel" to see all the options. We have men’s, ladies and youth sizes available in several options. To learn if your city will be featured on the back of our apparel visit the 2021 Participating Landmarks Page

landNDMARK OWNER INQUIRIES

ARE YOU A LANDMARK OWNER THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN BY LIGHTING IN MBC COLORS (GREEN, TEAL AND PINK) ON OCTOBER 13^th 

Sponsorship and Press Inquiries

METAvivors and volunteer community 

Volunteer as a #LightUpMBC Ambassador!

• Engage in fundraising, securing landmarks, press outreach, and more.  
• Encourage Donations - Ask your network for donations to METAvivor Research and Support, Inc. by using the link: https://donate.metavivor.org/LightUpMBC
• If you would like to volunteer with #LightUpMBC 2021, please sign up here: #LightUpMBC Ambassadors: 2021 Volunteer Sign-Up. If this form is not working for you, please email [email protected]

Full list of contact information for #LightUpMBC (download)

About METAvivor

METAvivor Research and Support, Inc. is a non-profit organization that funds research to benefit people with stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We also raise awareness, advocate for, and provide information and support to people living with MBC. 100% of every donation made to METAvivor goes to fund metastatic breast cancer research.

Since our founding in 2009, we have awarded 135 research grants totaling over $18 million to fund research for stage IV breast cancer. We provide support for people living with MBC. We train stage IV breast cancer patients to be advocates and peer support leaders. METAvivor also offers education programs about stage IV metastatic breast cancer and the latest research information specific to the disease.

To learn more, please visit https://www.metavivor.org