Cassie’s Cancer Crusaders
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Our story…
Welcome to my page and thank you for reading my story. I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in January of 2020. After an extensive surgery, physical therapy and radiation, I was considered to be cancer free.
Three months later, however, a follow up scan showed a new “spot” in my liver. I had a quarter of my liver removed during the biopsy procedure and spent 3 nights in the hospital recovering. The results showed the cancer had returned and I was officially diagnosed with stage IV/metastatic breast cancer (MBC). I was devastated and in shock to learn not only was there was no cure for this late stage cancer, but only 30% of patients live longer than 5 years. It was an unimaginable reality that I had to come to terms with.
Since that diagnosis over 5 years ago, the cancer spread to my spine, I have undergone more radiation, countless CT scans, MRIs, reconstruction surgeries, monthly bloodwork and oncology visits and over 65 cycles of a clinical trial medication that was FDA approved in 2024.
The side effects from these medications have caused severe osteoporosis and most recently, fractures in a vertebrae and two ribs. I underwent a procedure in the Fall called Kyphoplasty, to stabilize the vertebrae.
I am thankful every single day that the treatment protocol has kept me alive this long. At the same time, I grieve daily for all of the many women I have met and connected with on this journey, who are no longer with us. It is heartbreaking that their lives were cut short, they deserve to be here with their loved ones.
I cannot change my reality, or bring my friends back , but I CAN continue to raise awareness for this disease. I CAN continue to help raise funds that go directly towards life saving research. I CAN continue to hope and pray for a cure.
Thank you for all of the continued support, prayers and contributions over these last several years. I am forever grateful for your love, friendship and kindness.🩷🩵💚
Description
ABOUT METASTATIC BREAST CANCER
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is stage 4 breast cancer, for which there is no cure. Globally, more than 670,000 people die each year from MBC, with more than 43,000 dying each year in the U.S. alone (117 per day). Metastatic breast cancer spreads mostly to the bones, liver, lungs, and brain, causing MBC patients to be in treatment for the rest of their lives—with only 31 percent of MBC patients in the U.S. living longer than five years. Approximately 30 percent of early-stage breast cancers recur as stage 4 MBC. While 98 percent of all breast-cancer-related deaths are from MBC, less than 13 percent of overall breast-cancer funding is currently allocated to researching metastatic breast cancer.
METAvivor, through donations and fundraising events such as this, has been able to award over $41 million to fund 230 MBC research grants. We are extremely passionate about raising money for this cause and truly thank you for helping save lives by participating in or fundraising for this event.
Team members
Click on one of our team members below to make a donation.
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Cassie Romano
Raised: $1,315.16
Team captain
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Jessica Bonvissuto
Raised: $1,161.28
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Alison Foster
Raised: $0.00
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Avalon Davis
Raised: $0.00
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Gabrielle Torello
Raised: $0.00
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Jacqueline Frosco
Raised: $0.00
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Karen Davis
Raised: $0.00
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Sharon Little
Raised: $0.00
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 16 | Joseph Lanzone, LCSWR | $106.35 |
| Mar 16 | Barbara Lorber | $27.23 |
| Mar 16 | Larry Shaffer | $11.40 |
| Mar 15 | Martin and Debbie Mackechnie | $250.00 |
| Mar 15 | Mayah | $106.35 |
| Mar 15 | Alan Winter | $250.00 |
| Mar 14 | Anne Marie Scouarnec | $53.60 |
| Mar 14 | Robert & Jane McCord | $106.35 |
| Mar 13 | John Morgan | $100.00 |
| Mar 13 | Freedom Bank | $100.00 |
