To show my support for the thousands of Canadians diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC, stage 4) every year, I am participating in and fundraising for this year’s Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure.

With your help, I can reach my fundraising goal and make a life-changing difference for many people living with stage 4 cancer. Every dollar my team raises will fund groundbreaking MBC research and support programs and services for those impacted by this disease.

At 33, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer (Her2+), and everything changed. By the time the signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer started to appear, the cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes, liver and bones. Since Inflammatory Breast Cancer is extremely aggressive (symptoms visible at stage 4), my care team acted quickly, and I began treatment within two weeks of receiving the biopsy results. I was in medical menopause, my hair fell out within a few weeks, and after 12 rounds of chemo and Her2+ targeted drugs, here I am. A resilient 35-year-old stage 4 thriver who continues to receive Herceptin and Perjeta treatments every three weeks to keep the Her2+ cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

Over the past year of treatment and becoming part of the breast cancer community (shout out to Rethink Breast Cancer), I have met people of all ages living with MBC, it's more common than you think. This is why fundraising for MBC research is incredibly important. Stage 4 is incurable, and the goal of treatment for metastatic cancer is to help a person live as long as possible while maintaining their quality of life. The IV drugs I take every three weeks have allowed me to keep living—thank you!

The survival rate for people living with MBC is 22%.With your help, we can reach our fundraising goal and make a life-changing difference for many Canadians. Every dollar Resilient Titties raises will fund groundbreaking MBC research and support programs and services for those impacted by this disease.

Thank you! I appreciate your generous support.