Support Natalie’s Survival with Stage IV Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

Natalie was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2009 at age 33. Despite aggressive and comprehensive treatment in 2009, followed by 10 years of estrogen blocking therapies, Natalie’s cancer returned in 2020 as stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Her local oncologist ordered a full body PET/CT and brain MRI upon diagnosis. Tumors were found in her brain, bones, lymph nodes, and retinas (eyes). Since June 2020, Natalie has endured various therapies to treat MBC in the brain and body.

Radiation

• Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to 10 brain tumors – July 2020

• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to left ribs – Aug 2023

• Gamma Knife SRS to 3 brain tumors – Oct 2023

• Gamma Knife SRS to 13 brain tumors – May 2024

• Whole Brain Radiation – April 2025

Systemic therapies (6 lines of treatment)

• Verzenio (Abemaciclib) & Femara (Letrozole) (July 2020 - Oct 2022)

• Verzenio & Faslodex (Fulvestrant) (Oct 2022 - Oct 2023)

• Elacestrant (Orserdu) (Oct 2023 – Jan 2024)

• Xeloda (Capecitabine) (Feb 2024 – April 2024)

• Enhertu (Trastuzumab deruxtecan T-DXd) (May 2024 – Jan 2025)

• Halaven (Eribulin) (March 2025 – present)

Why We Need Your Help

Natalie and Matt followed their dream and moved to Hawaii in 2019. They were able to obtain jobs and housing on Oahu. Since her diagnosis in 2020, Natalie continued to work part-time until she could no longer do so in 2024 due to her treatments and side effects. Most recently, Matt was working for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) until December 2024. After the election, the DNC laid off many dedicated staff. Since then, Matt has been diligently applying for remote work so Natalie can live out her days in Hawaii. However, landing a new position has proven difficult. At the same time, Matt has been an amazing caretaker for Natalie in 2025 during her whole brain radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

MBC is a terminal disease with significant costs. We gratefully ask for your help by either:

1. Donating money

2. Sharing this information with your networks

3. Helping Matt with personal introductions for work opportunities

Your kind donations will be used for rent, utilities and health care costs. We thank you for any assistance you may be able to offer us during this very difficult time. Thank you!

Natalie is a graduate of the 2022 Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Hear My Voice Metastatic Advocacy Program. Natalie is a Member of the MBC Alliance and serves as a patient advocate for the MBC Alliance’s Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis Initiative. She continues to volunteer as an advocate mentor with GRASP Cancer (Guiding Researchers & Advocates to Scientific Partnerships). She is incredibly grateful to be a member of the national Breast Cancer Brain Mets (BCBM) Support Group (sponsored by SHARE Cancer Support). Natalie’s local advocacy concentrates on bringing clinical trials to Hawaii where she currently lives. She is co-leader of the Patient Advocacy Council for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.