NEW YORK (PRWEB)
October 03, 2022

METAvivor Research and Support announces the launch of the fourth annual global landmark campaign, #LightUpMBC, to shine a light on the importance of awareness and funding for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) research. Every year, more than 685,000 people worldwide die from metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as Stage 4 or advanced breast cancer, for which there is no cure. This happens when the cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

On October 13, National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, over 200 landmarks across all 50 U.S. states, as well as Canada and Ireland, will light up in the MBC awareness colors of teal, green and pink, as part of the #LightUpMBC campaign. While pink has long been synonymous with early-stage breast cancer awareness, pink alone does not resonate with the advanced stage MBC community. Designed and trademarked by METAvivor, the tri-color ribbon of teal, green and pink symbolizes hope, immortality, healing and spirituality. Some of the iconic participating locations include: One World Trade Center – NYC, The Leonard P. Zakim Memorial Bridge – MA, Caesars Superdome – LA, Niagara Falls = CA/NY, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – OH, The Aloha Tower-HI and the Kilkenny Castle in Ireland.

#LightUpMBC Live, a virtual benefit, will begin at 9:00pm ET /6:00 PM PT on October 13. The event will include inspiring MBC stories from illuminated landmarks around the country. Celebrity guests include:

• Lionel Richie, Grammy award-winning entertainer discusses how breast cancer has affected his family and the importance of research.
• Mathew Knowles, Cancer survivor and CEO, Music World Entertainment, will share about his journey and the importance of genetic testing.
• Miranda McKeon, “Anne with an E” star, found her lump when she was just 19 years old and will discuss the importance of self-exams and advocacy.
• Additional celebrity appearances will include Kimmie & Bruce Hall (REO Speedwagon), LeA Robinson (Pose on FX), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent/In the Heights/Sex and the City) and Karen Finerman (CNBC/Fast Money) and more

The show will also include a special tribute to Nightbirde and exclusive interview with Mitch Marczewski Jr., CEO, Nightbirde Foundation, in memory of the America’s Got Talent (AGT) famed artist who passed away of MBC at the age of 30, just before AGT Finals. #LightUpMBC Live will be co-hosted by the Founder of The EAGLE Method, MBC Thriver Tami Eagle Bowling and the Founder of My Cancer Family, breast cancer survivor Denise Albert.

Viewers can live stream the event through the LiveOne app and platform, YouTube or Facebook Live @METAvivor and https://www.metavivor.org/lightupmbc

“It saddens me to see how many people are lost to metastatic breast cancer. So many people I have met do not surpass the 2-3 year life expectancy for MBC,” said METAvivor Board President Jamil Rivers. “100% of every donation to METAvivor funds stage 4 MBC research. It is simply the only way to extend the lives of those living with this terminal disease.”

“My best friend and inspiration for this campaign, Jessica Moore, died of metastatic breast cancer at the young age of 36”, said #LightUpMBC Founder Laura Inahara. “115 people are dying every day of MBC, and that’s not acceptable. Every landmark that shines is in memory of someone who passed away and a reminder that more research for Stage 4 MBC is critical to save lives”.

National event sponsors include Sanofi, Seagen and Pfizer.

For more information, to donate and view a list of participating landmarks, please go to https://www.metavivor.org/lightupmbc

About #LightUpMBC:

#LightUpMBC is a global landmark campaign that is designed to educate, raise funds and shine a light on the critical need for research for Stage 4, metastatic breast cancer. This campaign is dedicated to the memory of Jessica Moore who passed away from MBC at the age of 36. All proceeds benefit METAvivor Research and Support. For more information on the #LightUpMBC campaign, please visit

https://www.metavivor.org/lightupmbc or text MBC2022 to 50155 to donate.

Follow our social channels Facebook @LightUpMBC and Instagram @lightupmbc.

About METAvivor:

METAvivor Research and Support is dedicated to the specific fight of men and women living with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. It is a 501c3 non-profit organization that exclusively funds Stage 4 MBC research to transition the disease from terminal to chronic with a good quality of life for MBC patients. METAvivor puts 100% of donations toward Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer research. Please see grants funded here at prestigious universities and hospitals across the country. https://metavivor.org/research/grants-awarded/

Follow our social channels Facebook @METAvivor and Instagram @metavivor

Origin of the MBC Awareness Tri-Color Ribbon:

The pink ribbon is well-known for representing the fight against breast cancer, but many Stage 4 breast cancer patients feel that pink does not encapsulate their experience. Metastatic Breast Cancer may start in the breast, but its spread to vital organs makes the disease fatal. To highlight the uniqueness of the disease and show its commonality with other stage 4 cancers, METAvivor designed a base ribbon of green and teal to represent metastasis. Green represents the triumph of spring over winter, life over death, and symbolizes renewal, hope, and immortality while teal symbolizes healing and spirituality. The thin pink ribbon overlay signifies the metastatic cancer originated in the breast.

#LightUpMBC Participating Cities Include:

Adel, Albuquerque, Allen Park, Anchorage, Antioch, Arlington Heights, Asbury Park, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Austin, Baltimore, Barrington, Baton Rouge, Billings, Binghamton, Boise, Boston, Branson, Calgary, Camden, Charleston, Charlotte, Charlottesville, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Crystal Lake, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, District of Columbia, Dover, Eagan, Fanwood, Flemington, Fort Wayne, Foxborough, Gilbert, Grand Forks, Grand Rapids, Great Falls, Halifax, Harrisburg, Harrison, Hartford, Hartland, Hermosa Beach, Hershey, Hinsdale, Homestead, Honolulu, Humboldt, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Iowa City, Jacksonville, Jamestown, Kansas City, Kilkenny, Kittery, La Jolla, Lake Forest, Laramie, Las Vegas, Lexington, Libertyville, Little Rock, Londonderry, Long Beach, Manchester, Manhattan, McLean, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Mobile, Mokena, Montgomery, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, New York City, Niagara Falls, Northbrook, Northville, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Panama City, Paris, Pascagoula, Pawtucket, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Plainfield, Portland, Portsmouth, Poughkeepsie, Rapid City, Rochester, Roselle, Rosemont, Royal Oak, Salem, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Juan, Schaumburg, Scotch Plains, Scranton, Seattle, Spencer, St. Charles, St. Louis, Tampa, Toronto, Trenton, Vancouver, Washington, Waterbury, Waterloo, Wausau, Westfield, Wheaton, Wheeling, Whistler, Wilmington, Woodburn, Yonkers