At 60 years old, Patti from California approaches life with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) with equal parts honesty and determination. For her, support groups are not just about encouragement—they need to reflect the full, sometimes difficult, reality of the disease.

“I want support groups to be a place to uplift each other, but also vent. We are dealing with a life-threatening disease that isn’t always positive or pretty. There are groups that have resource pages, while others have discussion boards. A good combination of everything would be ideal and very helpful to our MBC community.”

Patti also urges other women living with mBC to be active participants in their care and to prioritize listening to their bodies:

“Are you living with mBC? Be your own advocate! Question your doctor! It’s ok. Listen to your body. If you feel something new or off, say something. We aren’t dying of mBC, we are LIVING with mBC!”

Support Our Sisters: Building Inclusive and Empowering Spaces

Patti’s insights emphasize that true support for women with mBC requires spaces where they can share both triumphs and struggles, access useful resources, and feel seen in all aspects of their identity. Support Our Sisters works to create such spaces—centering the voices and experiences of Black and Hispanic women while fostering a sense of belonging for all who share in the fight against mBC.

By prioritizing authenticity, inclusivity, and practical tools for advocacy, Support Our Sisters seeks to empower women like Patti to take control of their health journey while connecting with others who understand their lived experiences.

It’s Time to Act

Patti’s journey reminds us that living with metastatic breast cancer means embracing both strength and vulnerability—and that no one should face it alone. To learn more, join the Support Our Sisters network, or share your own story, visit SupportOurSisterswithmBC.org.