Tour Holiday-Themed Homes for a Worthy Cause

On Saturday, holiday-themed Severna Park homes will be on display with proceeds benefiting the Annapolis-based charity METAvivor.

Surviving Breast Cancer Awareness Month

One woman with Stage 4 breast cancer talks about how she navigates through the sea of pink.

When Kay Campbell walked in and found her local grocery decked out in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her stomach churned. "I thought, 'I am not going to be able to shop in this grocery the entire month of October,'" Campbell said. "It’s just too much in my face." Campbell, a Crofton resident, has metastatic breast cancer, which means the disease is considered Stage 4 and has metastasized or spread to other parts of her body. "Only 2 percent of the money raised for breast cancer goes to Stage 4 research," Campbell said. "In my little world I understand that 30 percent of the women who do get breast cancer are going to metastasize and nobody talks about those women." She doesn't fault stores or their employees for "thinking pink," …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Authors' Luncheon Fundraises to Fight Breast Cancer

The third annual METAvivor authors' luncheon raises money for Stage 4 breast cancer research.

Seven area authors will gather in Annapolis to talk about their work, eat lunch and raise money for breast cancer research at the Double Tree Hilton on Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The third annual Metavivor Authors' Luncheon raises money for research for metastatic breast cancer, which means the disease is considered Stage 4 and has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. "It’s about as far as you can go in terms of the stages. There are no other stages," said Avis Halberstadt, METAvivor treasurer and event organizer. "Thirty percent of men and women who are originally diagnosed with breast cancer have Stage 4, but only 2 percent of the research money goes for advanced breast cancer." That's something that METAvivor, an …

• Documents (1)

METAvivor a Finalist in National Grant Competition

Now the Annapolis-based group is asking for your help to win $145,000.

METAvivor Research and Support Inc. was recently named a finalist in a national contest among nonprofit groups for a chance to win $145,000. The Annapolis-based nonprofit organization is focused on providing funding for research into Stage 4 breast cancer. And now officials are asking for your help to land the grant money. Lester Smith, a Texas philanthropist and oil tycoon, is hosting the Pink Well Challenge, a $1 million matching grants challenge, according to a release. METAvivor is one of 30 nonprofit groups from across the country to make it to the final round. And here’s where you come in. The local group must raise more money than its competitors by May 15 as well as receive the most votes for its four-minute video in order to win…

• Photos (1)

Holiday Home Tour Highlights Christmas Decorations in Annapolis, Broadneck

The annual fundraising event for METAvivor takes you inside area homes that are totally decked out with holiday cheer.

METAvivor Research and Support Inc. will host one of its key local fundraisers with the Holiday Home Tour this weekend. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, six homes around Annapolis and the Broadneck Peninsula will be all decked out for Christmas and offering home tours. There are two homes in downtown Annapolis, one in Eastport and three in Broadneck. The homes on the tour include: There will be live entertainment and refreshments at the homes. All proceeds benefit METAvivor, which is based in Bay Ridge. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour. METAvivor is a nonprofit group dedicated to raising awareness and money for research of Stage 4 breast cancer. For more information visit www.metavivor.org or by calling 410-757-…

• Photos (6)
• Documents (1)

METAvivor Takes Breast Cancer Work from Annapolis to Portugal

The local Stage 4 breast cancer awareness group earns top marks for presenting research information at international conference in Lisbon.

Our friends over at Greater Annapolis' own METAvivor metastatic breast cancer advocacy group wanted to share some recent news about a successful trip overseas. Thanks to METAvivor for the following information: METAvivor Research and Support President Dian "CJ" Corneliussen-James and Board Member Kelly Lange attended the Advanced Breast Cancer First Consensus Conference (ABC1) in Lisbon, Portugal from Nov. 3-5. The first-of-its-kind international conference focused on the treatment and management of metastatic breast cancer patients. METAvivor submitted an abstract in advance of the conference that detailed support and lifestyle needs of metastatic breast cancer patients. The abstract, which took its information from a METAvivor survey of …

• Photos (1)

METAvivor Grants Support Stage 4 Breast Cancer Research

It is the second year for the grant program and fundraising work is already under way for next year.

METAvivor Research and Support, a nonprofit group dedicated to raising money and awareness for Stage 4 breast cancer patients, recently awarded grants to researchers working on metastatic breast cancer. Alana Welm, Ph.D., University of Utah, and Andrea Mastro, Ph.D, Penn State, both received grants at a ceremony on Oct. 10 at the University of Maryland, according to a release. The awards coincided with the kick-off of METAvivor's 30% for 30% Campaign, which advocates for an equitable change in the use of breast cancer research funds, METAvivor officials said in the release. METAvivor, based in Bay Ridge, contends that 30 percent of breast cancer research funds should be dedicated to metastatic breast cancer research because 30 percent of …

• Photos (1)

'Style On The Runway' to Make Breast Cancer Awareness Fahionable

Fashion Show, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West St., Annapolis.

It is fashionable to contribute to a cause that will help others. That is what will happen at the first annual benefit hair and fashion show called Style on the Runway. The mission of the event is to raise money to benefit those in the Greater Annapolis area who are battling or have battled breast cancer, including METAvivor. Style on the Runway will include models who are breast cancer survivors showcasing unique fashions by local Annapolis boutiques. David Alexander Salon and Spa of Annapolis will provide hair styling and make-up. In addition to the fashion show, there will also be a live auction, door prizes, vendors, music and entertainment and more. Stepping Out for Breast Cancer is dedicated to improving the quality of life for …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (6)

Week in Review: Fans Flock to Flay, METAvivor Recognized, and a Solitary Journey

Just in case you missed something this week, Patch brings you the week that was in Greater Annapolis.

Patch articles always stay on the site, even when they're not posted as a top story, so we encourage you to explore and read some of the older articles if you're new to Greater Annapolis Patch. We have some more information if you'd like to know more about how to use the Patch site. And to ensure you don't miss anything, we'll do reviews each week to point out stories of interest you may have missed. Remember that you can sign up to receive daily or weekly updates from Patch. We're also active on Facebook and Twitter, too. This week celebrity chef Bobby Flay caused quite the stir at Westfield Annapolis mall when he arrived at Williams-Sonoma for a booksigning. Flay was on hand Wednesday to sign copies of his new book Bar Americain. At …

• Photos (1)

Stage 4 Breast Cancer Survivor Created Group to Fill Void

Dian Corneliussen-James, one of the founding members of METAvivor, said the nonprofit group is working to bolster research on metastasized breast cancer and raise awareness of the fatal disease.

Dian Corneliussen-James clearly remembers heading into surgery for her breast cancer. She met with a mentor from SOS, Survivors Offering Sympathy. A member of the support group sat with her before the procedure, comforting her, calming her, letting her know what to expect. They were there as she recuperated. She left the hospital with a big bag of gifts and get-well wishes. They were there to help with follow-up procedures, assuring her that everything was going to be OK. Unfortunately, CJ, as she’s known to friends and others who have met her through METAvivor, the Stage 4 breast cancer support and research nonprofit group she helped form, she also remembers the day she went in for surgery to have a metastasized breast cancer tumor …

•  16 Comments
• Photos (4)