It’s About Time…#itsAboutTimeMBC

Metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, is treatable, but not curable. For these patients, it’s about time. Time to spend with their families, time to cross something off their bucket list, time to simply drive the carpool or cook a meal, to enjoy an everyday task. It’s also about time to increase awareness of this devastating disease, time more resources are devoted to developing treatments to help metastatic patients live longer, and time there is more recognition and support of those managing this disease.

Today, the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation joined forces with organizations across the country to launch an initiative to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer through the It’s About Time campaign http://www.itsabouttimeMBC.com .

“Many of our members are living with metastatic breast cancer and with the reality that time is not on their side,” said Maria Gemma, Executive Director of Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.  “Our organization is thrilled to be part of this national movement to not only raise awareness of the disease, but to highlight how precious time should be for all of us, but especially for those living with this disease.”

An estimated quarter of a million women and men are living with the metastatic breast cancer in the United States. But, the disease is still largely misunderstood. A recent national survey revealed that 60 percent of respondents said they knew little to nothing about metastatic breast cancer and 72 percent believed that breast cancer in the advanced stages is curable if diagnosed early. These patients face challenges different from those with early stage disease, for whom there is a lot more hope and options.

It’s About Time encourages metastatic breast cancer patients, their families, caretakers and advocacy organizations to engage in a national conversation over the next six weeks about metastatic breast cancer facts, what time means to them, opportunities for increased advocacy and research supporting metastatic breast cancer, and, most importantly, to create a platform for those battling metastatic breast cancer to share their stories. To join the conversation, participants are encouraged to use the hashtag #itsabouttimeMBC on Twitter or submit a story atwww.itsabouttimeMBC.com.

The It’s About Time campaign will also be featured prominently during Gloria Gemma’s signature event, Flames of Hope Weekend in Providence October 3rd and 4th.  Participants will have the opportunity to contribute their thoughts about what time means to them on pieces of fabric that will be sewn together to create the “Tapestry of Hope” that will be displayed at venues across Rhode Island.

The campaign will culminate in a Twitter chat on the day when Daylight Savings ends and we gain an hour Sunday, November 1. From 5:30-6:30 p.m. CST, the chat will focus on information about metastatic breast cancer and why that extra hour is a good reminder of how much time matters when you face an incurable disease.

Campaign partners include:

Chicago, IL
Gilda’s Club Chicago
Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
A Silver Lining Foundation
Sisters Network Chicago
Rush University Cancer Center

Kansas City, MO/KS
Black Health Care Coalition
Gilda’s Club Kansas City
Turning Point
The University of Kansas Hospital

Pittsburgh, PA
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation

Philadelphia, PA
Black Women’s Health Alliance

National
FORCE (Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered)
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Metastatic Breast Cancer Network
AnaOno Intimates

 

To learn more about the It’s About Time campaign, visit www.itsabouttimeMBC.com.