I am privileged to be a board member with METAvivor, bringing experience as a person living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), an academic for over a decade, and an MBC advocate active in multiple spheres since 2021. I was diagnosed with stage I cancer at the age of 38, before I was eligible for mammograms. After four rounds of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy and starting hormone therapy, I thought I was in the clear. However, three years later shortness of breath led to a diagnosis of breast cancer that had spread to the lungs and bones, metastatic or stage IV breast cancer.
When I was diagnosed with a metastatic recurrence in 2020, I knew I wanted to use the skills and knowledge gained in my career as a scientist and educator to benefit all MBC patients. I serve on the leadership team of Project Life, where I run an MBC education series and provide report backs from scientific meetings (among other things). I am active in the research sphere with the Patient Centered Dosing Initiative, where we both advocate and conduct research into improving quality of life for MBC patients via dosing. I have been on multiple lines of treatment, with some working better than others and have greatly benefitted from new drugs, while also suffering from the very real side effects they bring. This has greatly informed my advocacy work, both with PCDI and in working with researchers.
I was introduced to METAvivor via a local peer-to-peer support group, have since become a co-leader, and now help train new leaders of our support groups. Additionally, I have acted as a patient advocate reviewer for METAvivor as well as the Department of Defense, an important aspect of both programs leading to stronger grant applications and funded projects. I currently serve on multiple board committees and look forward to utilizing my knowledge and skills as we grow METAvivor and move forward!