METAvivor and #Cancerland Merge
After the passing of Project Cancerland’s founder, Champagne Joy, the organization’s leadership decided its mission could best be carried forward by consolidating its activities with the national organization, Metavivor Research and Support, Inc.
ANNAPOLIS, MD. – October 21, 2019 - Metavivor Research and Support Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research specifically for Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC), announces the unification of #Cancerland with Metavivor. The two organizations have had a long-standing partnership and have recently formalized their relationship. “#Cancerland primarily focused on media and outreach to the metastatic breast cancer community. We will continue that mission as part of Metavivor.” said Metavivor president, Beth Fairchild. “We are simply thrilled to add #Cancerland and its supporters to Metavivor. We think this addition and alignment of mission will be a great way to share the message about stage IV metastatic breast cancer with the public.”
#Cancerland was founded by Champagne Joy in 2015 and was primarily a media platform focused on changing the conversation about breast cancer through the honest voices of real individuals living with the disease every day. Through discussions of topics such as intimacy during and after treatment or the harsh financial realities of cancer, #Cancerland provided a platform to address breast cancer’s often ignored realities. According to Champagne’s husband, Michael Hall “Champagne was a fierce advocate for those with metastatic breast cancer and was very outspoken about the need for additional research funding. She would have wanted her mission to continue through Metavivor." Champagne passed away in 2017 due to complications from metastatic breast cancer.
Metavivor plans to use #Cancerland and its brand as an outreach and media platform to encourage and support patients living with stage IV metastatic breast cancer while continuing the discussions of the harsh realities of cancer. “We invite everyone to celebrate the joining together of the two organizations by sharing through social media #Cancerland and #Metavivor.” said Fairchild.
Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV or advanced stage cancer, is the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body -- most commonly to the bones, liver, lungs and/or brain. At least five percent of patients are diagnosed de nova (at diagnosis) with metastatic breast cancer, 30% of earlier stage breast cancer patients metastasize, and 98% die as a result, with the average survival after diagnosis being two to three years. In the U.S., only 2-5% of all cancer research funds are dedicated to stage IV cancer research.
ABOUT METAVIVOR
METAvivor Research and Support Inc. is an Annapolis-based, 501(c)(3), volunteer-led, non-profit organization founded by metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 2009. The focus of the organization is to fund critical research that will lead to advances in treatment options, quality of life and survival for patients diagnosed with MBC. METAvivor is the only national organization with a peer-reviewed grant program aimed at exclusively funding MBC research, and 100% of all donations go to fund research.
METAvivor also raises awareness of MBC, provides support and education for people living with this disease, and offers opportunities for others to help make a difference for the metastatic community.
Visit us at http://www.metavivor.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
