National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Pictured is the iconic Blue Bridge in Grand Rapids lit up with teal, green and pink, as part of the #LightUPMBC campaign for the 2020 National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. (Photo provided by Allison Bannister)Allison Bannister

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Landmarks across Grand Rapids will be lighting up Thursday to help raise awareness for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and the need to increase funding for research.

The fourth annual METAvivor Research and Support’s global landmark campaign, #LightUpMBC, is again shining a light on this disease also known as Stage 4 or advanced breast cancer, in recognition of National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Thursday, Oct. 13. There is no cure for the disease.

Grand Rapids landmarks will join over 200 landmarks across the U.S., Canada and Ireland in lighting up with the metastatic breast cancer colors of teal, green and pink. McKay Tower, Blue Bridge, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and the former UICA building in downtown Grand Rapids will proudly highlight the MBC colors.

Every year, more than 685,000 people worldwide die from metastatic breast cancer, according to a METAvivor news release. Metastatic cancer refers to when cancer cells move to other parts of the body and into normal tissue, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

#LightUpMBC Michigan Ambassador Allison Bannister said she volunteered for METAvivor when she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in early 2019, just a few months before her 50th birthday.

“I quickly became committed to working with organizations that raise funds directly toward programs and research to advance and improve treatment options for those with MBC,” Bannister said.

While the color pink has primarily represented early-stage breast cancer awareness, pink alone does not resonate with the advanced-stage MBC community. Designed and trademarked by METAvivor, the tri-color ribbon of teal, green and pink symbolizes hope, immortality, healing and spirituality.

“The big thing with October is that you’re bombarded with all these pink campaigns, and a lot of it has to do with awareness and early detection,” Bannister said. “These things are important, absolutely, but we are at the point now where we need action, not awareness.”

To highlight the importance of the diagnosis, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalyn Bliss issued a proclamation making October 13 Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in perpetuity.

“It’s a big deal,” Bannister said. “It’s not something that they do often. Her agreement to do it seems like a small thing, but it isn’t when you’re kind of in the shadows like we are. I think people just don’t understand MBC, and this helps us be seen and recognized.”

The mayor’s proclamation cites the organization’s efforts saying, “METAvior funds critical state IV metastatic breast cancer research, educates the public about metastatic breast cancer, and raises awareness of the significant lack of funding for state IV treatments.”

A virtual Light Up MBC benefit will begin at 9 p.m. Thursday that will include MBC patient stories from illuminated landmarks around the country.

Katie Edick, who also has metastatic breast cancer and has fought alongside Bannister since the Light Up MBC campaign started in 2018, shares the same push for action.

“I think another part of the Light Up campaign is to try and get allies, even people who may not have breast cancer but perhaps have been affected by it,” said Edick, noting the importance highlighting how low funding for research for MBC to get more investment.

“That’s why we have the colors of green, pink, and teal because we’re trying to show that it’s more than just pink because it has spread to other parts of the body. And so as a collective of women and men with metastatic breast cancer, we’re trying to raise our voices and kind of show people the research where the money needs to go. And one of the ways that it’s being done is through this Light Up for MBC campaign.”

For more information about Thursday’s event or to donate and view a list of participating landmarks, visit www.metavivor.org/LightUpMBC.

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