METAvivor Research and Support Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC), has received a grant of over $100,000, the largest contribution in its five-year year history. This leadership donation from Abbey and Neal Rapoport of Plano, Texas, will be used to fund critical scientific research on breast cancer metastasis, with the intention that such research will lead to the development of therapeutic options to treat the disease.
Unlocking the science behind metastatic cancer is vital to Abbey and Neal. Abbey was initially diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in July 2004. After undergoing treatment, she went into remission for several years, but was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (mets) to the liver in April 2014. She keeps busy raising the couple’s three sons: Ryan, Alec and Evan, and hoping for more time. Neal is an Internet entrepreneur and start-up investor, and is the founder of Dealtaker.com, an online shopping and discount website. According to Abbey, "Today, there is nothing more important to me than having the time to raise my children, and finding a treatment that will extend my survival! Back in 2004, I never thought about metastasis. From all that I read and saw, those who ‘caught it early,’ as I did, would be fine. I had a double mastectomy ‘just in case,’ but what ‘mets' meant, and how serious Stage IV was, that never occurred to me until six months ago, when I found out about my liver mets. I understand the need for a ‘cure’ in an entirely new way now. Our contribution to METAvivor can make a critical difference in my life, the lives of my family members, and the lives of the over 155,000 Americans living with MBC.”
Neal Rapoport said, “Metastatic breast cancer is a devastating illness, and research into the disease is severely underfunded. We support METAvivor’s mission to transform metastatic breast cancer into a chronic disease, and to restore an excellent quality of life for patients. Specifically, our gift will enable METAvivor to fund vital research on Stage IV breast cancer. We chose METAvivor because we know every penny of our donation will be directed into research. There are no salaries, and overhead is funded by other sources. It’s a powerful model. We challenge others to join us in the continued pursuit of saving lives. This is an urgent cause, and we hope to inspire others to give.”
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. Approximately 30% of breast cancer patients metastasize, and 97 – 98% die as a result, with the average survival after diagnosis being two to three years. In the US, only 2-3% of all cancer research funds are dedicated to Stage IV cancer research – yet 100% of all breast cancer deaths are caused by a metastasis.
About METAvivor
METAvivor Research and Support Inc. is an Annapolis-based 501(c)(3) all-volunteer non-profit organization founded by metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 2009. METAvivor raises awareness of MBC, provides support for people living with this disease, and offers many opportunities for others to help make a difference for the metastatic community. Our top priority is to fund the critical research that will lead to advances in treatment options, quality of life and survival for patients diagnosed with MBC.
Since 2009, METAvivor has expanded nationwide, awarded 14 research grants totaling close to $900,000, has gained a rapidly growing following, and has become a leader in its field. METAvivor is the only national organization with a peer-reviewed grant program aimed at exclusively funding MBC research.
