October 13, 2024: Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

WHEREAS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the world and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, more than one in eight women and one in 726 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. In 2024, an estimated 313,50 Americans will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, including over 9,400 women in Michigan; and,

WHEREAS, metastatic breast cancer occurs when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, liver, and brain, and has an average life expectancy of 2-3 years. Regardless of early detection, approximately 30% of early-stage breast cancers will return as metastatic breast cancer; and,

WHEREAS, an estimated 42,780 Americans will die from breast cancer in 2024, equal to 117 women and men per day, with metastasis thought to be the underlying cause of a large majority of these deaths; and,

WHEREAS, metastatic breast cancer affects all races and socioeconomic classes. While non-Hispanic white women see slightly higher incidence rates of breast cancer, the mortality rate for Black women with breast cancer is 40 percent higher than that of non-Hispanic white women, and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Hispanic women; and,

WHEREAS, the national organization, METAvivor Research and Support, funds critical stage IV metastatic breast cancer research and educates the public about metastatic breast cancer and the lack of funding for stage IV treatment. METAvivor aims to dramatically increase the current percentage of U.S. breast cancer research dollars from under 5 percent to 30 percent for the already metastasized patient. The national hashtags for this initiative on social media fall under #METAvivor and #LightUpMBC; and,

WHEREAS, there is a global #LightUpMBC campaign on October 13th every year to illuminate over 220 landmarks throughout the world, in the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) colors of teal, green, and pink, in a show of solidarity with the metastatic breast cancer community and bring awareness to the disease of metastatic breast cancer. The day will culminate in a virtual broadcast known as #LightUpMBC Live to commemorate landmarks lighting around the country, share inspiring stories from the metastatic breast cancer community, and raise research funds;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 13, 2024, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Michigan.