METAvivor Announces The Launch Of The Stage IV Stampede And 2016 - 2017 Legislative Agenda

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Sept. 27, 2016 - PRLog -- METAvivor Research and Support Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for Stage IV, metastatic breast cancer, announced the launch of its Stage IV Stampede campaign. The campaign will commence with a day of action on National Metastasis Breast Cancer Awareness Day, October 13, 2016 in Washington, DC that will include a march, a Die-In (hosted by partner MET-UP), a panel discussion and visits with Congressional offices. The day of action is the beginning of a focused, grassroots advocacy and awareness-raising effort to request increased funding for research on Stage IV metastatic cancer, to encourage NCI and CDC to count those with metastatic disease and to request improved access to healthcare and benefits for people with Stage IV disease.

Metastatic breast cancer (also known as Stage IV or advanced stage cancer) is the spread of breast cancer to non-adjacent parts of the body -- most commonly to the bones, liver, lungs and/or brain. Currently, metastatic breast cancer is minimally treatable, but not survivable. Much of the current metastatic cancer research is focused on preventing metastasis rather than trying to save the lives of those who have already metastasized. Metastatic breast cancer accounts for 100% of the more than 40,000 annual deaths due to breast cancer. Metastases is not unique to breast cancer, all cancers can and do metastasize thus, approximately 600,000 Americans continue to perish each year as a result, and 90% of those individuals die from cancers that have spread.

METAvivor has partnered with a number of organizations on the campaign, including the Young Survival Coalition, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the Male Breast Cancer Coalition, MET-Up, the Tigerlily Foundation and the Metastasis Research Society. Corporate sponsors of the advocacy plan include Celgene, Novartis, Lilly Oncology and Eisai.

The coalition of organizations and sponsors is focused on achieving seven specific goals:

1. Expand the metastatic cancer research portfolio at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 & FY 2018 through growth in appropriations and demonstrated congressional interest in controlling and eliminating cancer that has already disseminated (metastasized).

2. Ensure the continued growth of the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD) in FY 2017 and FY 2018, and encourage prioritization of research opportunities for already disseminated, metastatic, stage IV cancers since eliminating breast cancer through prevention has failed.

3. Raise awareness of already disseminated, metastatic, stage IV cancer and the unique needs of affected individuals on Capitol Hill and among the general public and advocate the need for new codes for patients with a diagnosis of already disseminated, metastatic cancer so that this population can be correctly counted.

4. Support efforts to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare, innovative therapies, and end the waiting period for disability and Medicare benefits for individuals facing terminal illness.

5. Cultivate a nationwide network of grassroots advocates who will effectively engage their elected officials to help advance the metastatic cancer agenda.

6. Participate in community advocacy efforts focused on improving the drug development pipeline and facilitating treatment development.

7. Monitor relevant legislative and public policy issues by participating in coalition advocacy activities and attending events on Capitol Hill.

CJ "Dian" Corneliussen-James, co-founder and Interim President of METAvivor, said, "METAvivor is pleased to partner with organizations to launch this day of action and critical advocacy agenda. We believe that it is vital that we change the conversation around breast cancer to focus increased attention, social services and research funding on Stage IV patients. This advocacy agenda is the first ever of its kind for metastatic, Stage IV breast cancer, and we have the potential to make a significant difference in the survival of many metastatic patients but we cannot do this without substantial change in how we fund research."

Beth Fairchild, METAvivor Vice President, said, "The Stage IV Stampede on October 13^th is the flagship event that will launch an intensive, grassroots effort to educate Congressional and other leaders about the specific needs of people with Stage IV, metastatic cancer. We urge Congressional leaders to increase funding for metastatic cancer research, to improve access to innovative, potentially life-saving therapies and provide greater access to disability benefits, Medicare and other insurances for metastatic patients."

ABOUT METAVIVOR

METAvivor Research and Support Inc. is an Annapolis-based, 501(c)(3), volunteer-led, non-profit organization founded by metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 2009. METAvivor raises awareness of MBC, provides support for people living with this disease, and offers many opportunities for others to help make a difference for the metastatic community. 100% of all donations made to METAvivor go to fund critical research that will lead to advances in treatment options, quality of life and survival for patients diagnosed with MBC.

Since 2009, METAvivor has expanded nationwide and awarded 26 research grants totaling close to $2,000,000. METAvivor has gained a rapidly growing following within the breast cancer community and has become a leader in its field. METAvivor is the only national organization with a peer-reviewed grant program aimed at exclusively funding MBC research.

Visit us at METAvivor.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.