30th Birthday

I can’t believe I made it to my 30th Birthday! When I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) at age 23, I never dreamed I would live this long. Medical statistics show most patients will die within 2-3 years after an MBC diagnosis. Only 27% live more than 5 years. I couldn’t even find statistics for survival rates after 5 years. This needs to change. We need a Warp Speed initiative for cancer to find treatments that allow patients to live longer with fewer side effects.

My life changed dramatically with my diagnosis. It was very hard accepting that I would never have the career I trained my entire life for. I had to find a new purpose in life and a reason to keep living. And so I became an advocate for MBC, making people aware that BC is not just a problem for middle-aged and older women; that no one is immune – even men can get BC. I am humbled and honored to join the Leadership Council of The Pink Agenda this year, where I hope to be better able to make a difference.

Since my diagnosis in 2014, I have seen many new BC treatments come to market. Several of my drugs were not available in 2014. My greatest hope as I enter my 30s, is for new treatments to help MBC patients live longer until a cure can be found.

If you would like to help fund research for better treatments for MBC, please consider donating to The Pink Agenda or its sister non-profit, the The Breast Cancer Research Foundationwhich has funded several of the treatments that have kept me alive. COVID-19 caused a 50% drop in government cancer research funding, so private donations are especially important. No amount is too small. #30andfabulous#30thbirthday #newdecade #30andthriving#birthday #breastcancer#metastaticbreastcancer #baldballerina