Metastasis is what kills cancer patients, but research in this critical area is woefully underfunded compared to the magnitude of the problem. METAvivor is a grassroots organization that is raising support for laboratory research directly targeting metastasis. They also provide support for patients living with metastatic cancer. Perhaps as importantly, they have begun to shine a light on the growing number of patients living with metastatic cancer -- their real problems, challenges and realities. METAvivor solicits advice from experts to assure that their research grants are going to the best possible science. They do all of this with a minimum administrative overhead. In short, if I want money going directly to metastasis research, this is the place I send my contribution!!
100% of donations to metastatic breast cancer research.
Volunteer run organization
Support, outreach and awareness
In the midst of so much pink hype, especially every October, it's hard to find a breast cancer charity that has a meaningful impact on the national stage, which does its work with integrity, and which is responsible, accountable and transparent to donors. METAvivor is all of that! As a 100% volunteer group, every penny is available to fund critical research to support scientific study that will directly benefit those of us living with metastatic breast cancer.
I have been privileged to be a part of METAvivor since 2008. During that time I have been amazed at the progress made by this dedicated group of volunteers. Everyone works very hard to keep expenses down, and to raise money for our annual research grant(s). We are always happy to share details about our organization. Read more about us at www.METAvivor.org.
Review from Guidestar
Metastatic Breast Cancer Survivors volunteer as the brains, energy, and workers of the METAvivor family. They understand that over 90% of cancer patients will die from metastatic disease. They understand that about 30% of cancer patients will be told that their cancer has spread to other parts of their body. They understand that only a small percentage of research money supports research to understand the how and why a cancer cell can become metastatic. Undaunted by the poor research funding, they raise monies to support novel research in metastatic cancer. Money in hand, they request grant applications, review/rank the grants and award the funds directly to the researchers. They also raise grant money to support the all volunteer staff with supplies. Finally but most importantly, they provide one-on-one support to each other as their disease progresses. Like the disease they are sworn to conquer, they smoothly transition between fund raisers, research supporters, and loving care givers. Some researchers believe that Cancer Stem Cells are shed from the tumor early in its growth, move to other tissues and many years later emerge as a metastatic site. I like the idea that donating dollars to METAvivors directly supports metastatic cancer research and may contribute to finding a cure for cancer at its root.
