Sami Strong #LightUpMBC Glow Run

• Approximately 30% of early stage breast cancer survivors will have a recurrence as metastatic disease
• Metastases can occur as early as several months to 25+ years after treatment
• 685,000 people a year die from metastatic breast cancer globally
• Only 22% of U.S. MBC patients live longer than 5 years, and only 11% of live longer than 10 years
• There is NO CURE for MBC

This is my sister, Sami Pickens. She was 28, driving home from work when she got the phone call that the biopsy came back as invasive ductal breast cancer. Shortly after the diagnosis, Sami underwent a double mastectomy for my Stage 1 cancer because of her BRCA 1 gene mutation. Her team decided that was a very aggressive approach and that she would be good to go. Not even a year later (286 days to be exact) Sami was diagnosed with a local recurrence again at stage 1. She underwent a partial mastectomy, chemo and radiation. She had an amazing 2 years getting back into the new normal, and trying not to let every ache, pain and check up get the best of her. Life after a cancer diagnosis is no joke, we as a family watched the fear, panic and agony it put on so many of us but especially on my sister. Things got scary again fast after my sister and brother in law, Justin, got pregnant with their miracle baby, Lyla. She was admitted to the ICU with a collapsed lung, quickly learning that the cancer was back at age 31. This time it had metastasized to the lung, liver and bone. Sami underwent chemotherapy during her pregnancy, gave birth to a healthy (but tiny) baby girl January 7th, 2023 about a month after finishing her chemo. She felt great on her maintenance medicine, Lynparza for a few months but Easter weekend we had learned that the medicine had not been working and her PET scan showed progression in all areas. Her team switched to Enhertu, but it could not keep up with the progression. Sami went to her eternal home May 26, 2023 with no more pain, suffering or fear.

I'm Mandi, Sami's little sister. Sami and I started to get involved the beginning of this year with Light up MBC. It was so important to my sister that we help in making a difference in metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Not only did we have high hopes in research for her, but we also wanted to share her story and bring more awareness. I never thought I would be planning this race without her by my side but she wanted me to see this through. Sami was a fierce advocate for all things that meant a lot to her. We have named the race this year Sami strong, to honor and remember her but it is just as important to continue to raise money for all those fighting and who will fight in the years to come. Not all breast cancer is pink, and we have to do better so that ALL stages of breast cancer can be curable.

#LightUpMBC is an annual global landmark campaign that shines a light on the importance of awareness and funding for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Every state in the U.S. and countries around the world illuminate landmarks in the symbolic MBC awareness colors of teal, green and pink on October 13th for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

A virtual broadcast, #LightUpMBC Live, will take place on October 13, 2023 at 9PM ET and will feature inspiring stories told by MBC patients at illuminated landmarks and include celebrity guests sharing words of inspiration. The show will be live streamed through LiveOne and viewable on all METAvivor channels including Facebook Live and YouTube @METAvivor and at www.METAvivor.org/LightUpMBC

Contact Mandi at mandirough@gmail.com prior to registering!