When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in 2011, I had never heard the word "metastatic" before. And I certainly wasn't aware that breast cancer could metastasize, let alone be diagnosed at stage IV from the beginning. Thinking that I couldn't be the only one out there that had been fooled by the pink ribbon, I decided to do something about it.
While researching MBC, I learned that October 13th is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. I approached a local restaurant in hopes that they would support my efforts to raise both awareness and research dollars for MBC. They agreed and that first "coffee day" raised $400.00 through coffee sales and donations.
With the first year’s success, I was excited to make year two bigger and better. After learning about the METAvivor campaign, "The Elephant in the Pink room", and how MBC could be compared to the elephant in the room, the first annual "Dancing With Elephants" was born. Along with the "coffee day", I (along with a couple of my sisters) set to work organizing a fundraising evening of music, dancing, silent auction, community painting, 50/50 draw and live auction. Our budget was a whopping $0.00, so some creativity and resourcefulness was needed. We made posters by hand, we pounded the pavement to solicit donations for our auctions, we asked family and friends to help bake sweets for the evening, and approached local entertainers to ask if they would volunteer their time and talents for the evening. We even secured a suitable venue at no cost. To our amazement, with the support and generosity of family, friends, local businesses and surrounding communities we were able to raise over $5000.00! Not bad for a community with a population of only 1100.
2014 brought about the 2nd annual Dancing With Elephants fundraiser as well as an expansion to the "coffee day" awareness and fundraising campaign. This year we had two additional restaurants in neighboring communities taking part. One held a "burger day" donating proceeds from each burger sold, and another helped promote awareness and received donations on our behalf. After all is said and done, we once again raised over $5,000.00 to be distributed to two organizations dedicated to supporting research of metastatic breast cancer (MBCN and METAvivor) as well as a local cancer care unit which is upgrading its facilities.
The community painting is a central focus of the evening. Guidance is provided by a professional artist for all in attendance to be able to take part in bringing the elephant to life.
Ella Painting
The painting or "Celebration Piece" is symbolic of a community coming together, breathing life into a cause that is often neglected in the discussions around breast cancer. Although there has been progress in treatments for metastatic breast cancer, those living with MBC still await the elusive cure.
2014 Celebration Piece
You may not "see" the elephant at first, but just as it takes a conscious effort to understand the complexities of MBC, you will need to take your time, let the colours dance before your eyes and soon you will see her come to life.
Even though this event has been localized to our small corner of the world in small town Ontario Canada, we will continue to expand to neighboring communities each year and continue to raise some much needed awareness and research dollars MBC. Check out our Facebook page "Dancing With Elephants" for information regarding MBC and updates regarding our fundraising events.
