WHEREAS, the state of Michigan is pleased to recognize and observe October 13, 2022, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and hereby recognizes the #LightUpMBC national campaign; and,
WHEREAS, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the world, and second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. More than one in eight women and one in 833 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. In 2022, an estimated 290,560 Americans will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, including over 8,900 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. About 29% of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer will survive for 5 years after diagnosis. For men, the 5-year survival rate is 22%. Regardless of early detection, approximately 30% of stage 0 to III breast cancers will return as stage IV. An estimated 43,780 Americans, including 1,390 Michiganders will die from breast cancer in 2022; 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 lack of funding for stage IV treatment. They aim to dramatically increase the current percentage of U.S. breast cancer research dollars from under five percent to 30 percent for the already metastasized patient. The national hashtags for this initiative on social media fall under #DontIgnoreStageIV and #LightUpMBC; and,
WHEREAS, there is a national #LightUpMBC campaign on October 13th every year to illuminate 225 landmarks in the metastatic colors of teal, pink and green, throughout the world, bringing awareness to the disease and to honor the number of lives lost to MBC. In partnership between the METAvivor and Moore Fight Moore Strong organizations, the day will culminate in a virtual broadcast, #LightUpMBC Live, to commemorate landmarks lighting around the country, share inspiring stories by the metastatic breast cancer community, and raise research funds; and,
WHEREAS, while the pink ribbon is well-known for representing the fight against early-stage breast cancer, it is not inclusive of stage IV. Therefore, the metastatic breast cancer awareness tri-color ribbon includes teal, pink and green. The teal color portrays healing and spirituality. Green represents the triumph of spring over winter, life over death; renewal, hope and immortality. The thin pink overlay signifies that the cancer originated in the breast; 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 43 percent higher than that of non-Hispanic white women, and breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Hispanic women;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 13, 2022, as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Michigan.
