CGI #LightUpMBC Fun 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 31% of U.S. MBC patients live longer than 5 years
• There is NO CURE for MBC

Stephanie LaBonte's Story

Hi! My name is Stephanie. At 41 years old, I was diagnosed with triple-negative, grade 3, metastatic breast cancer de novo in May of 2023.

I have always had small but dense breasts with occasional cysts. In June of 2022, I had my first mammogram, and because I was concerned about a large mass in my left breast, I also had an ultrasound. During the ultrasound, the tech showed me several cysts in my breast. The larger mass was also confirmed to be a cyst. I assumed that I was getting more cystic because I was getting older. In December 2022, I had more cysts, some very large and one starting to be a little more painful than usual. The pain would come and go, and by February 2023, I was using a heating pad for the pain and taking quite a bit of Aleve and/or Tylenol. Also, around February, I started coughing and having back pain; I thought the coughing was due to allergies and the back pain was muscular. In March, I finally listened to my wife and called my gynecologist to make an appointment; I honestly thought I would be referred to get an early mammogram and then to get the troublesome cyst aspirated. In early April, I had a mammogram and an ultrasound, which confirmed that I needed a biopsy to determine if the mass was cancerous or if I had mastitis. I never thought I would pray for mastitis, but here I was.

Everything moved very quickly from here. Within two weeks, I had a breast biopsy, lymph node biopsy, PET scan, thoracic spine MRI, brain MRI, lung biopsy, countless lab work, and a complete diagnosis. We found out that I had triple negative, grade 3 breast cancer and then found out that it had already spread to several lymph nodes, "innumerable" spots in my lungs, and possibly one ovary. My wife and I had already decided that no matter the diagnosis, there would be a plan, and I would reach remission. So many other breast cancer survivors had prepared me for chemo, surgery, and radiation in some order. When the oncologist told me I was stage 4, I said, "That's okay, what's the plan? … I intend to reach remission." He said, "There is no remission; you are not curable, only treatable." He also said there was no surgery and no radiation. Chemo and possibly immunotherapy (if I qualified) were the only options.

I had my chemo port surgically installed on May 3rd and started chemo on Monday, May 15th. I am currently on my first line of treatment, including chemo and immunotherapy. My regimen is a 21-day cycle of chemo/immunotherapy on Day 1 Monday, chemo on Day 8 Monday, and labs/oncologist appointment on Day 15 Monday. Then, it starts over with the same cadence. This treatment will go on for the foreseeable future - months, maybe one year, two years… it will depend on how effective the treatment is and/or how much toxicity my body can handle from the treatment.

METAvivor has become an important cause for me as all funds go to metastatic breast cancer research. This research can lead to more treatments and hopefully, eventually a cure. Thank you for your support.

In Memory of Jacqueline Hayes

#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 8:30PM 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 Noelle at noelle.lewis@cgi.com prior to registering!