METAvivor Research and Support Inc.

December 11th my family and I lost one of my favorite family members, Aunt Debbie to metastatic breast cancer, otherwise known as the dreaded stage 4 cancer. If you had the chance to meet her you knew how hilarious, and fun she was to be around. Not only this she was the one of the most warm humans I knew. Every person was her "sweetie" and would grasp you in her arms, hug you tightly, and finish with a gentle kiss on the side of your head. I miss her dearly. 


She was fighting cancer for some time and was kicking its ass might I say, until one day things didn't start getting better. That was when she was diagnosed with MBC. She kept fighting until the final days. She was so strong through this whole process. After hearing this I was inspired to do something. Something crazy to honor Aunt Deb and spread awareness to how underfunded MBC is.  This year I decided to run a marathon. It will take place on June 27th and I will be fundraising until race day. Prior to making my decision the farthest I have ever run was 10 miles. If Aunt Deb can fight off cancer for as long as she did, I can pull my socks up and run a marathon. This is for you Debbie. If you hate cancer as much as I do lets raise some money so PINK can just be a color. 

A little more info on METAvivor:

If you know someone who has died from breast cancer, they died from metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Yet, only 2 - 5% of money for breast cancer research is dedicated toward understanding metastatic breast cancer, or finding solutions to extend the lives of MBC patients. We need your help to shift the public discussion and prompt action for our disease.  Together, we can be the catalyst for change. A diagnosis of MBC is terminal. Those with a diagnosis of MBC have unique needs such as the need for expedited benefits, including Social Security and disability income.  They also want to have the Right to Try new treatment and therapies and, of course, need affordable health insurance that will meet their unique needs. Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit METAvivor Research and Support Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. Learn More Here

In our 14th year, we are dedicating Tapp for Charity to a special edition Tapp for the Cure.  We come together each year to show how little we know about college basketball and how much we know about what it means to be a family, a circle of friends, a rich and vibrant community. 

While we can never know the pain of each other's struggles, the fears that embrace our hearts and the challenges we are given to carry, we do know the light of love for each other, lifted in prayer and wrapped in caring, can push light into darkness, hope into despair, and empathy into pain.  

So come on in the pool, make your pics, take your shots, trade your smiles, share your insights - we ask only for a simple donation to Metavivor, a willingness to send prayer into this challenge, and an appetite for the good-natured celebration of family, friends and MARCH MADNESS!

About METAvivor
METAvivor is dedicated to the specific fight of women and men living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. At the time of METAvivor’s founding, no organization was dedicated to funding research for the disease and no patient groups were speaking out about the dearth of stage 4 cancer research.  While more and more people have taken up the cry for more stage 4 research, METAvivor remains the sole US organization dedicated to awarding annual stage 4 breast cancer research.

Hi friends!

Mark and I will be participating virtually in the Freeze-athlon to raise funds for metastatic breast cancer! We will do a 5km run/20km bike/2.5km run to raise awareness and funds for METAvivor. Although less than excited about the December weather, we’re SO thrilled to be doing this alongside our church family and our dear friend Brittany . Please join us on this journey and help us spread the word. MBC Freezeathlon 


Did you know that 30% of patients diagnosed with earlier stage breast cancer will eventually develop stage 4 breast cancer and die? Despite that percentage, did you know that only 2-5% of research fund goes into researching metastasis?  Help us change that number and increase awareness and FUNDING for metastatic breast cancer research!


From METAvivor’s website: https://www.metavivor.org/take-action/why-we-need-you/

“... the popular breast cancer fundraising movements give on average only 2-5% of their research funds to researching metastasis. Instead, their primary focus is on prevention, which does nothing to help those already diagnosed, and early detection, which does not impact those facing stage 4 breast cancer. And while only 6% - 10% of initial breast cancer diagnoses are metastatic, 30% of patients diagnosed with earlier stage breast cancer will eventually develop stage 4 breast cancer.

This does not need to happen.  Many metastasis researchers believe that metastatic breast cancer could become a chronic, rather than terminal, disease, if only there were more money to do the research necessary to develop effective treatments. As such, METAvivor has launched a nationwide effort to raise awareness about metastatic breast cancer, with a push to dedicate 30% of all breast cancer research funds toward the metastatic breast cancer that 30% of patients will ultimately face.

Please join this critical effort.”

Hello, 

Recently we have learned that one of our dear friends has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. In her honor, please consider donating for research, support, and a cure. Once goal is reached I would love to present this to her as a form of love and support.

More information about METAvivor Research and Support Inc.: From support groups to funding vital research our programs sustain the power of hope. Passionately committed patients and staff rally public attention to the urgent needs of the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community, help patients find strength through support and purpose, and make EVERY dollar count as we work to fund research with the goal of regaining longevity with quality of life.

Let's do all we can to help fight metastatic breast cancer in Kathy's honor. 

More information about METAvivor Research and Support Inc.: From support groups to funding vital research our programs sustain the power of hope. Passionately committed patients and staff rally public attention to the urgent needs of the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community, help patients find strength through support and purpose, and make EVERY dollar count as we work to fund research with the goal of regaining longevity with quality of life.

I will be hiking approximately 136 miles over 10 days on the Northville Placid Trail in the Adirondacks, and would like to dedicate each mile to raise awareness and funds for METAvivor. Please join me on this journey, and help me spread the word.  I am excited to give a little extra purpose to an already exciting adventure.

Ultimately I think it's time we stop focusing so much on saving the tatas and start focusing on saving lives. My own included...

"100% of breast cancer deaths occur because of metastasis, and almost 100% of people whose breast cancer has metastasized will die from it. In the United States alone, this means that more than 40,000 vibrant lives are lost each year.

Despite these stark realities, the popular breast cancer fundraising movements give on average only 2-5% of their research funds to researching metastasis. Instead, their primary focus is on prevention, which does nothing to help those already diagnosed, and early detection, which does not impact those facing the ultimate death sentence of stage 4 breast cancer. And while only 6% - 10% of initial breast cancer diagnoses are metastatic, 30% of patients diagnosed with earlier stage breast cancer will eventually develop stage 4 breast cancer and die.

This does not need to happen.  Many metastasis researchers believe that metastatic breast cancer could become a chronic, rather than terminal, disease, if only there were more money to do the research necessary to develop effective treatments. As such, METAvivor has launched a nationwide effort to raise awareness about metastatic breast cancer, with a push to dedicate 30% of all breast cancer research funds toward the metastatic breast cancer that 30% of patients will ultimately face. "


 Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit METAvivor Research and Support Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about METAvivor Research and Support Inc.: From support groups to funding vital research our programs sustain the power of hope. Passionately committed patients and staff rally public attention to the urgent needs of the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community, help patients find strength through support and purpose, and make EVERY dollar count as we work to fund research with the goal of regaining longevity with quality of life.

Terri Carpenter Kading was a beautiful, intelligent, hardworking woman who was loved by many. In 2014, Terri was diagnosed with breast cancer, which originally lead to a double mastectomy and full hysterectomy. Her cancer was stable for about 2 years, but was detected again in her bones in November 2016. She worked diligently to continue fighting the disease, but after two years of battling, she passed on 2/21/19, 19 days after her birthday. She was 53. 

She leaves behind her daughter, parents, 4 sisters, and boyfriend, all who she loved dearly. She also leaves behind all her nieces and nephews, beloved coworkers, and friends she cared for with her whole heart. She is so missed, and leaves a space in many peoples hearts. 

In her memory, we are raising money for Metavivor, the research program she found the most aligned with her. She had started a donation on Facebook prior to her death, so it is thought to continue to donation in her memory. 

The donation will be continued until after her celebration of life, which is 3/16. At her celebration, a silent auction will be held with somethings she has made as well as small tokens in memory of her. We will also be taking donations at the event. However, if you will be unable to attend but feel inclined to continue participate, this is the place to donate.