We help extend life expectancy for women living with metastatic breast cancer (#MBC) by raising funds to ensure access to customized, targeted treatment plans.
What is Metastatic Breast Cancer (#MBC)?
Metastatic Breast Cancer (#MBC), also known as distant stage, advanced, or stage IV breast cancer, is breast cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body….most often the bones, liver, and lungs. It is estimated that ~35% of all breast cancer will eventually develop into metastatic breast cancer (#MBC) [2].
Currently, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer (#MBC), so treatment focuses on extending life and maintaining quality of life [3].
Today, more women are living with #MBC than ever before, and numbers will continue to increase due in part to earlier detection and access to customized treatment plans deploying targeted therapies [4].
Despite the many advances in treatment, only 30% of women with #MBC will live for more than 5 years [5].
Of the millions raised each in the name of breast cancer research, it is estimated that less than 2 percent of those dollars are allocated to research for additional targeted treatments, and virtually no money is allocated to ensure access to customized treatment plans for women newly diagnosed with #MBC.
The Shauna Martin Metastatic Breast Cancer Foundation (SMMBCF) aims to change that by raising funds to ensure access to these life-extending treatments for all those living with #MBC.
Imagine the joy and meaning you could bring to a mother who lives long enough to see her son graduate from high school instead of passing away while he is still in diapers. With the funds we raise this can become a reality for more women living with #MBC.
Shauna’s Story
On July 28, 2005, on my son’s 1st birthday, at the young age of 33, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That day, my life changed forever.
I firmly believe I am still alive because I was provided with a customized treatment plan of targeted therapies that are specific to the genetic make-up of my type of #MBC.
I will be eternally thankful for the amazing medical care I have received and the gift of time that care has given me. That gift of time has allowed me to see my baby boy grow from a toddler in diapers into the amazing young man he is today and to witness his graduation from high school and the start of his college adventure. It gave me time to love and be loved again. time to continue practicing law and support and be supported by my partners and clients…and time to finally understand that life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but about learning how to dance in the rain!
#DanceToLive
Shauna discovered that dancing helped to ease many of the side effects she experienced from my treatments for #MBC, and together with her husband, she is an avid swing and two-step dancer. She quite literally dances to help her stay alive which inspired her husband to the phase: Dance to Live.
We hope you join us in celebrating Shauna at the #DanceToLive event featuring Texas Swing and Two-Step dancing and an art auction to raise money for the foundation.
