When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer last year, I had no idea that it was incurable. I also had no idea how little research is being done to find a cure. Honestly, it didn’t make sense to me. What about all those “Race for the Cure” events for breast cancer that you hear about every year? Where’s all the money go for all of the “pink” marketing?  I was shocked to hear that most of it goes for preventing breast cancer and early detection. The big problem here is that we don’t know how to prevent breast cancer. Mammograms? Yeah, well, none of the mammograms I had during my diagnosis for either of the first or second bout of DCIS showed anything. My breast tissue was too dense. Mammograms were not an effective tool for me. I had blood coming out of my nipples. That was my red flag that something wasn’t right. I was also diagnosed with DCIS, or stage 0 breast cancer.  From a breast cancer diagnosis standpoint, it’s supposedly the most treatable variety. I had DCIS twice in a four year period. I had a lumpectomy, radiation and a bi-lateral mastectomy. I was told by my breast cancer surgeon that “I’d never have breast cancer again.” Yet, two years after she uttered those words, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I feel that I’m walking proof that prevention and early detection are not how you keep someone from being diagnosed with this terminal disease.

So, since we don’t know exactly how to prevent it and early detection isn’t a fail safe either, how about spending some money on how to cure it? The tragic truth is that 30% of patients diagnosed with earlier stage breast cancer will eventually develop stage 4 breast cancer and die. I have learned that very few women know this. I didn’t know this until my diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.

How much of the “pink” money goes towards curing metastatic breast cancer? A measly 2-5%. Even though almost 100% of women who are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer will die from it,  popular breast cancer fundraising movements only dedicate 2% towards research to cure it. I have found one group that is working to raise awareness about metastatic, Stage IV breast cancer, and to fund research to extend the lives of people living with MBC.

METAvivor has started a nationwide movement dedicated to creating 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. Put simply, thirty for thirty.

The largest foundation for fighting breast cancer is the Komen Foundation that was created in 1982 with the vision of “a world without breast cancer.” Over two decades and billions of dollars later, breast cancer is still here, still killing people at pretty much the same rate. We need more than a focus on prevention and early detection. Early detection has proven no guarantee against metastasis and death.

We need 30 for 30. We need organizations like the Komen Foundation to keep their mission the same, but put more money where it’s needed. Since 30% of early stage breast cancer diagnoses will re-occur as metastatic, let’s dedicate 30% of research money towards finding a cure or to help find more effective treatments to turn metastatic breast cancer into a treatable, chronic or curable condition.