You may be wondering what a METAvivor is. I didn’t know the word until I started writing about breast cancer grassroots organizations and ran across METAvivor. METAVivor provides a definition of the word:
A person living with a metastasis. It combines “vivor” (from “survivor”) with “meta” (from “metastasis”).
From this, I found out that I’m a METAvivor. I have to say, I like that word. Because my cancer has always been stage 4 (it metastasized to the liver) and it’s incurable, the word “survivor” didn’t seem to quite fit, but I don’t like describing myself as a “breast cancer patient” either just because I’m much more than that. And I hate the word “victim” because I am in no way a victim. I live with this disease as well as I can, and if I do say so myself, I think most of the time I live quite well with it.
But enough of that. Let’s talk about METAvivor Research & Support, Inc. This is a grassroots organization that is staffed fully by volunteers. It’s describes itself as:
a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers, mostly with MBC. We created METAvivor because we believe the following:
•Support for MBC patients is greatly lacking
•Awareness of the disease is appalling low
•BC mets research is horrendously under-funded
and its mission is:
•We offer local support
•We help people elsewhere establish support programs
•We seek out speaking engagements, media opportunities, and other venues to make our voices heard
•We award a MBC research grant every year
METAvivor now has an initiative that is called “30% for 30% Campaign.” This campaign’s goal is to get metastatic cancer research funded at the level that metastatic breast cancer occurs.
On October 10th, METAvivor Research and Support launched its 30% for 30% Campaign in a concerted effort to improve longevity and quality of life for persons with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The concept is simple: Since thirty percent of all breast cancer patients develop MBC — a fatal condition, then 30% of breast cancer research funds and 30% of breast cancer support activities should be dedicated to MBC. At present, only 2% of breast cancer research funds go toward MBC research and support for the disease is rare.
Of course, as a METAvivor who is greatly upset at the lack of funding for metastatic breast cancer, I fully support this effort. I hope you will too, and will consider donating money to METAvivor . . . instead of buying more pink stuff.
I’m just sayin’.
Good work, METAvivor!
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Cross-posted to Just Enjoy Him.
Mothers With Cancer 
This is CJ, from METAvivor Research and Support Inc. Thank you so much for helping us get the word out on what we are trying to do. With all of us working together, one day we will indeed transition our disease from the fatal condition it now is, to a controlled, manageable condition that we can live with into old age while still enjoying a decent quality of life. Wishing you the very best.
You’re very welcome, CJ. And thank you for your kind words.
Hi Judy. I’m a stage iv mama myself (rectal cancer), and while I’ve been every possible stage since diagnosis I try not to get too hung up on the numbers. When I learned this spring that the cancer metastasized to my lungs and liver I just figured I was being signed up for the advance course in healing. I’ve just come across this blog and am so glad to see a space for mothers dealing with cancer. I also wanted to share with you that “metta” is a Pali word meaning “loving kindness” and also refers to the loving-kindness meditation practice in some sects of Buddhism. May you practice loving-kindness with yourself and your noble body. Best wishes, Shira Shaiman (shirashaiman.wordpress.com)
Thank you so much for your kind comments, Shira. I so appreciate them.