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Greetings!
 As I look back over my first year as president, I am extremely pleased by your support and level of commitment to making the metastatic voice heard.
But, we need your continued support to make our voice louder. We know there are many worthy causes to support, but here are just a few reasons why we hope you will consider making a year end gift this year to MBCN: - We are the only patient organization to hold a free conference at a different major cancer center each year, allowing us to hear the latest research and treatments available from experts at that center. We also gave over 50 scholarships this year to members who would not have been able to attend otherwise.
- We are the organization that lobbied Congress in 2009 to designate October 13 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Awareness of metastatic disease is a 365 day a year job and we will not rest until everyone has a true picture of breast cancer.
- We are a grass roots, all volunteer organization for patients with advanced cancer. We know what it's like to live with mbc and we are advocating for treatments to extend life.
- We have a wonderful metastatic information kit for newly diagnosed patients, which is available free of charge.
- We are the ONLY organization SOLELY dedicated to your unique needs and issues.
I continue to be amazed by, and truly grateful for, the commitment that each of you has made towards our mission. Please help us continue what we do by making a year end donation - no gift is too big or too small.
 My warmest wishes for a holiday filled with family and friends. Thank you, Michele Przypyszny, President mbcn.org
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Advocacy Work
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Suzanne Hebert, MBCN VP, was interviewed by A BC World News and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) about her participation in a clinical trial for everolimus (Afinitor) at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Encouraging results will be reported at SABCS - the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium this week.
Suzanne commented on the trial that "it was an example of the kind of new option that women with metastatic disease are seeking", adding that the drug "makes the hormone treatments work again."
Read the WSJ article: Drugs Target Breast Cancer: Two New Therapies Significantly Slow Progress of Metastatic Disease in Studies.
 Shirley Mertz, an MBCN Board member and head of our advocacy committee was honored as a Champion of Change by the White House. She posted this commentary on the White House blog: We need breast cancer research!
A busy woman who gets things done, Shirley flew to Lisbon, Portugal a few days after the MBCN Conference to attend the First International Conference on Advanced Breast Cancer. Read her report.
She returned in time to attend a New York City Breast Cancer Advocacy seminar and then, after time off for Thanksgiving, repacked her bags for San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). We're looking forward to her report -- check out our website next week.
Shirley and Suzanne's voices are clear, their resolve unshaken and their goal is focused: direct research funding to the cause of metastases and find more treatments to extend our lives.
But they cannot do it alone, so please DONATE to continue this important work and VOLUNTEER with us!
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| Featured Story: Dana |
 | | Dana |
"Live well, Laugh Freely"
I started my breast cancer journey on February 13, 2002 when I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 31. On that day, my life forever changed.I originally found the lump in my breast over a year earlier. An ultrasound confirmed that I did have a solid lump in my breast. However, because of my age, no family history and the fact that African-American women have higher cases of fibroadenomas (a benign breast lump) - the lump went misdiagnosed. At that time, I was in a failing marriage with two young boys at home, ages 2 and 10. |
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MBCN is a national, independent, patient-led, nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to the unique concerns of the women and men living with metastatic breast cancer. We strive to help those living with stage IV breast cancer be their own best advocate through providing education and information on treatments and coping with the disease.
© 2011 Metastatic Breast Cancer Network. All rights reserved.
MBCN is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization.
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VIDEOS on Website
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MBCN
Annual Conference
Baltimore, MD
Empowerment through Education
October 29, 2011
Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center
Click here to view our speakers' presentations
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| Feeling stressed, depressed or anxious about the holiday season? Can you identify with these comments from other MBCN members?
"I just wished the holidays away last year."
"For me the biggest stress is trying to please everyone."
Do you look at relatives and imagine them saying: "Why are YOU still here? I thought you had a terminable disease?" Visit Coping with the Holidays to read more and see what's worked for other MBCN members. |
| Quote of the month |
 Maggie Daley, First Lady of Chicago, patron of the arts and advocate for programs for children, died 11.24.11, having lived with mbc for 9 years. In her own words:
"When I say I take a day at a time, I do and I think people living with cancer-that's what you have to do. You play it as it comes. That's really what you do."
"And I know myself these last 8 years the spiritual support I've had from this community-it's touched me more than you'll ever know." |
New Year's Resolutions
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It's not too early to start thinking about your resolutions for 2012. How about volunteering with MBCN?
email us: mbcn@mbcn.org and we'll contact you and match you up with a project. Thank you!
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