CURE® Metastatic Breast Cancer Heroes™ 2021 Essay Book

The metastatic breast cancer community is a unique, strong-willed group of people who were honored in our inaugural Metastatic Breast Cancer HeroesTM program.

The most revealing thing that Dr. Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, a breast medical oncologist, learned during her own treatment for breast cancer was that despite having extraordinary family and medical support, she still felt very isolated.

Dr. Nancy U. Lin actors as a mentor for her patients, helping to guide them through the cancer experience, says her colleague Dr. Ines Vaz-Luis.

Dr. Nancy U. Lin dedicated her life to improving outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer. In this essay, a colleague honors her hard work.

"Because of his supportive rapport with his patients, his name often has come up in our local support group, resulting in everyone wishing they had 'a Gil,'" a cancer survivor wrote of a clinical trial research nurse.

A woman with metastatic breast cancer pens a heartfelt tribute to the oncologist who saved her life and approached her care with empathy and encouragement.

A colleague recognizes the generosity, humility and grace of a metastatic breast cancer expert who has led many practice-changing trials and programs to help as many patients as she can.

When I first learned about my mom’s breast cancer, I was just a toddler — but thanks to her incredible oncologist, my mom is here to see to me grow up.

A surgical oncologist honors an admirable doctor in the field who refuses to falter in the face of challenges in order to do exhaust every opportunity possible to improve the lives of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

A woman with breast cancer honors a colleague for her inspirational work to better the lives of patients with metastatic breast cancer, mentor others and inspire meaningful change.

I feared that switching to a new oncologist after mine retired would be awkward but having Dr. Joshua D. Rosenberg treat my metastatic breast cancer has left me with the deepest gratitude.

A metastatic breast cancer survivor explains why it’s so important to find other cancer survivors to walk alongside.

Knowing my friend Brandi since she was a child, I am in awe of how she balanced undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer while caring for other patients as an oncology nurse.

A patient with metastatic breast cancer honors her medical oncologist, Dr. Maria Raquel Nunes, for her calming and optimistic approach.

A metastatic breast cancer survivor honors another survivor whom she was inspired by through social media for her contributions to helping others who have lost their hair during cancer treatment and spreading positivity.

A colleague honors Dr. Nancy U. Lin for her dedication to improving outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer by creating a team of neuro experts to help women with brain metastases.

A senior clinical trial coordinator and research trial nurse is honored for gently guiding patients with cancer through the entire clinical trial process with empathy and devotion.

One woman created an accessible and affordable business to help women regain confidence after breast cancer surgery through prosthetics.

A retired teacher with breast cancer is recognized for her dedication to raising money and awareness for metastatic breast cancer by swimming across as many lakes as possible.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis at age 43, one woman became involved in advocacy with SHARE Cancer Support, spending hours speaking to women on the phone about treatments, emotional impacts and personal issues related to their breast cancer.

A colleague explains how one woman transformed the devastation of her breast cancer diagnosis into a “war strategy” of advocacy, starting at her kitchen table.

A colleague describes an oncology nurse who goes above and beyond as both a dedicated nurse to her patients’ care and an advocate in the field of metastatic breast cancer.

A medical oncologist is recognized for her contributions in organizing the first international conference dedicated solely to metastatic breast cancer in an effort to give patients a platform to share their stories.

A man describes his wife’s tireless efforts to advocate for people of color in the metastatic breast cancer field, where many still face disparities within care, inclusion in clinical trials and survival outcomes.

A colleague describes how a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer that later metastasized felt a lack of support and research, leading her to launch support programs for other patients and step into the advocacy field.

A colleague writes about a medical oncologist who has a rare metastatic breast cancer diagnosis but still manages to go above and beyond for her patients while dealing with her own cancer treatments, and how her empathy guides her.

A mother writes about her daughter — a nurse with metastatic breast cancer who passionately cares for patients even while undergoing chemotherapy — and how more treatment options are desperately needed.