#Repost from @bcrfcure Why research??? Because next week Ill be turning 37 years old AND will be reaching the 4th anniversary of my metastatic breast cancer de novo diagnosis. The current statistic says that I only have a 36% chance of living to my 5th year with MBC! I NEED research, not just see my 40s, but to be alive at this time next year. Im not done traveling or taking walks on the beach yet!! Not only, do I need more research, treatments, and time, but all current and future metastatic patients, and our/their families, do too! Tell us #WhyResearch matters to you. For every post shared on Instagram from now until Mother's Day using the hashtag, $10 will be donated to BCRF, up to $5,000! . . #BCRF #BeTheEnd #metastaticbreastcancer #researchnotribbons

#whyresearch matters to me: This is a picture of me and my mother a week before she died. My single mother died from #breastcancer. She had undergone surgery and chemotherapy for months in Ghana . She was told she was safe and didnt need chemotherapy again. My mother lived for 4yrs more and passed on. I believe if there is more research done, a better way of treating Breast Cancer will come out and this will help cure women across the world. I have dedicated the rest of my life to educating people about health and breast Cancer. I hope more funds are paid into research to bring out a better outcome which will also help women in Africa. Research is very important and key to the survival of Breast Cancer fighters. @bcrfcure @susangkomen @bcacampaign @komenla @komen3day #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #cancer #cancerawareness #cancerreasearch #research #Africa #Ghana #WomeinAfrica

Dr. Annette Khaled chairs the College of Medicines Cancer Research Division. She is using nanoparticles to track down and kill metastatic breast cancer cells. These cells, which spread from the original tumor, cause cancer to recur and spread into the brain, blood and lungs causing death to most patients. Khaleds technology is expected to begin clinical trials in 2018. #UCF #WhyResearch #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness @bcrfcure

My mother grew up with two immigrant parents and spent any free time working in their picture frame shop. Through hard work and determination she became a part of @northwesternmedicines 6 year med program and proceeded to be @stanfords youngest medical resident. Now she holds a distinguished career as head of pediatric anesthesia. She has been the best mom in the entire world. She has proven that as a woman, you can have aspirations while running a family. When I was 10 years old my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was heartbreaking for everyone. It's something that is still hard to talk about because it makes me remember the only time in my life where I thought she looked weak. However one thing that I'll never forget was her refusal to wear a wig when she lost her hair. To her, showing her shaved head to the world wasn't a sign of illness so much as it was a sign of her fight. My mother is forever and always a survivor. We are unbelievably fortunate that her cancer never progressed past stage 1 and that she was cured after surgeries, chemo, and the continuation of pills daily. This is her 6th year cancer free and for this I am indescribably grateful. When I was 12, I told my mom I didn't want to end up like her because didn't want to have cancer but I now realize that there are so many other ways that I do want to be like her. As a matter of fact, the greatest compliment I've ever been given is that I am a mini version of her because she has done and continues to do it all. @bcrfcure is an amazing organization because they are working to make sure that young girls everywhere grow up with mothers that will influence them to the extent that mine has. BCRF utilizes the power of research in hopes of curing this terrible illness that takes far too many lives and touches far too many families. Thank you #BCRF for seeking to give futures to women everywhere, and to my mother for teaching me that a woman never has to rely on anyone but herself, I truly can't think of anyone more remarkable. @gracek_shin . . . Join Grace and tell us #WhyResearch matters to you. For every post shared on Instagram using the hashtag, $10 will be donated to BCRF.