October 13 is International Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. In a month that is already pink, you may wonder why metastatic breast cancer (MBC or stage IV) needs a day of its own. Unlike early stage breast cancer, patients with MBC:

-have breast cancer that has travelled beyond their breast to their bones, lungs, liver and/or brain.

-May have successfully completed treatment for early stage breast cancer.

-Are in active treatment for the remainder of their lives.

-Do not live with “if” their cancer will return, but rather “when.” Cancer becomes resistant to every treatment we currently have. When cancer grows, patients change treatment until there are no more treatments available.

-Are living longer thanks to research but still facing a terminal illness. Breast cancer becomes life threatening when it cannot be controlled in an organ, not the breast.

-Identify as “thrivers” rather than “survivors” as there is no cure.

-Embrace the colors teal (for healing), green (for life) with the pink that is breast cancer. This combines the shared experience of having breast cancer and the uniqueness that is Stage IV.

The Pink Bow Campaign proudly stands with and lifts up MBC Thrivers. We incorporate thriver colors into our bows to show support and give to the MBC Travelers to help them create community.

Raising funds and Awareness for Breast Cancer- One Pink, Teal, and Green Bow at a Time!