METAvivor Shines a Light on Metastatic Breast Cancer and the Urgent Need for Research Through #LightUpMBC

More than 325 landmarks worldwide will illuminate October 13; watch #LightUpMBC Live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as Stage 4 breast cancer, has no cure. Yet during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the realities of living with this disease can be overshadowed by messages about early detection and finishing treatment. On October 13, National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, METAvivor Research and Support is calling on the public to learn about MBC and help fund research through #LightUpMBC, a global campaign that turns awareness into action.

More than 325 landmarks across all 50 U.S. states, 20 countries and 195 cities will illuminate in teal, green and pink—the MBC awareness colors—to honor lives lost, support people living with the disease and raise funds for metastatic breast cancer research. The campaign's centerpiece, #LightUpMBC Live, will stream free that evening, bringing patient voices, scientific perspectives and musical performances to viewers around the world.

Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer

MBC occurs when breast cancer spreads to distant parts of the body, most commonly the bones, liver, lungs or brain. It remains breast cancer, even when it is found in another organ. Some people are diagnosed at Stage 4 from the outset; others develop metastatic disease months, years or even decades after treatment for earlier-stage breast cancer.

For people living with MBC, treatment is ongoing. Even when scans show no evidence of disease, that does not mean the cancer has been cured. Treatment aims to control the disease, extend life and preserve quality of life, but cancer can become resistant to therapies, requiring patients to change treatments. An estimated 42,670 people in the United States are expected to die from breast cancer in 2026—approximately 117 every day. Research is essential to developing more effective treatments and improving outcomes for people living with metastatic disease.

METAvivor exclusively funds Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer research, selecting projects through a rigorous scientific peer and patient advocate review process. Its mission is to help transform MBC from a terminal disease into a survivable condition with good quality of life.

"When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2013, I certainly didn't think I'd still be here 13 years later," said Dr. Kelly Shanahan, METAvivor Board President. "My hope and the hope of so many others lies in research, and METAvivor funded research is increasingly important these days. #LightUpMBC is the biggest contributor to this research, and is also a way to bring us together as a community."

A Global Movement of Light and Hope

Participating landmarks include One World Trade Center in New York City, Willis Tower in Chicago, Philadelphia City Hall, Niagara Falls on the Canada/U.S. border, Ness Bridge in Inverness, Scotland, Mactan-Cebu Airport in the Philippines and Portsmouth's Memorial Bridge in New Hampshire, the first landmark to light for MBC in 2017.

"My best friend and the inspiration behind this campaign, Jessica Moore, died of metastatic breast cancer at just 36," said Laura Inahara, #LightUpMBC Founder. "Jessica hoped to illuminate one local landmark. Today, her legacy helps families around the world shine a light for the people they love, teach patients with MBC how to advocate for themselves and has now raised over $2.7 mm for critical MBC research."

The public is invited to photograph participating landmarks and share photos publicly, tagging @LightUpMBC on their favorite social channel and using #LightUpMBC and #METAvivor to help raise awareness.

Watch #LightUpMBC Live: Meet the People Behind the Lights

#LightUpMBC Live will air Tuesday, October 13, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, hosted by creator Tami Eagle Bowling, who has been living with MBC for 11 years, and Broadway performer and breast cancer survivor Kara Lindsay. Viewers can watch free on the METAvivor YouTube channel and METAvivor Facebook Live, with streaming also available through LiveOne.

The program will feature patient stories shared live from illuminated landmarks, scientific perspectives on metastatic breast cancer research and musical performances from two-time Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, Tony Award nominee Dorian Harewood, internationally acclaimed actress Christina Bianco, singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski and legendary voiceover artist Tony Daniels.

One hundred percent of net proceeds from the #LightUpMBC campaign and live stream benefit METAvivor to fund metastatic breast cancer research. To view participating landmarks, find viewing links or donate, visit www.lightupmbc.org

About METAvivor
METAvivor Research and Support Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exclusively funds Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer research. Through a rigorous scientific peer and patient advocate review process, METAvivor awards grants to projects aimed at transforming MBC from a terminal disease into a survivable condition with good quality of life. Learn more at www.metavivor.org. Follow @METAvivor on Facebook and Instagram.

About #LightUpMBC and #LightUpMBC Live
#LightUpMBC is a global campaign that illuminates landmarks in teal, green and pink on October 13, National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, to honor lives lost, support people living with MBC and raise funds for research benefiting METAvivor. Its annual livestream, #LightUpMBC Live, brings together patient stories, musical performances and scientific perspectives to educate viewers and inspire action. Learn more at www.lightupmbc.org and follow @LightUpMBC on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

SOURCE METAvivor