At 66, Silvia from Michigan has faced the intense realities of metastatic breast cancer (mBC) for years—managing not only the cancer itself but also serious treatment-related conditions.

“mBC caused my DVT, lymphedema, and high blood pressure. I take my blood pressure fairly regularly…I can be forgetful, but handle my medications well by tracking my off and on weeks with the chemo pill. The rest of my medications I take at the same time. I have them all re-filled on the same day of the month, which helps track them.”

Her experience highlights the critical need for support systems that go beyond awareness, offering practical tools and advocacy for better treatment and research. Silvia sees promise in clinical trials and believes they can be a lifeline for many patients:

“[Clinical trials] give women a chance to help other women and yes, you’re taking a chance but the care you receive in a trial is excellent.” 

Silvia’s advocacy reflects her deep sense of urgency. “Stage 4 Needs More!! More money for research to help find a cure for mBC. Everyone is ‘aware’ of breast cancer. Let’s put our money where our mouth is and GIVE…so others may LIVE!!! When some of the early stagers become Stage 4 in the future, we can hope to raise money for more research to help find a cure. We are dying to live!”

Turning Urgency into Action

Silvia’s voice echoes a shared truth among many women living with mBC: awareness isn’t enough—there’s an urgent need for funding, research, and culturally sensitive care. Support Our Sisters, an initiative of the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), is working to amplify these calls for action by sharing patients’ stories and advocating for equity in treatment access and research priorities.

The program brings women together to exchange experiences, find encouragement, and learn how to navigate complex care needs such as medication schedules, clinical trial opportunities, and ongoing emotional support. Through storytelling, Support Our Sisters helps transform personal experiences into powerful advocacy for change.

Time To Act

Silvia’s story reminds us that the fight against metastatic breast cancer requires more than awareness—it demands urgent action. To hear more stories, join the Support Our Sisters network, or explore ways to advocate for funding and research, visit SupportOurSisterswithmBC.org. 

Together, we can ensure that the voices of women living with mBC lead the way toward better treatments, increased research funding, and the hope for a cure.