KMBC: Saint Luke's Koontz Center comes Together with Leading Advocacy Group for Metastatic Breast Cancer

METAvivor, the nation’s leading advocacy group for metastatic breast cancer, came to Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City to recognize the Saint Luke’s Hospital Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer and Dr. Timothy Pluard for leading the way nationally in the treatment of Stage IV breast cancer.

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. Commonly referred to as Stage IV, MBC has no cure. Not so long ago, typical life expectancy following diagnosis was less than 18 months.  However, thanks to clinical trials, research advancements, and innovative treatment models such as the Saint Luke’s Koontz Center, patients are not only living much longer but experiencing much higher quality of life as well.

METAvivor is the nation’s leading advocacy group for metastatic breast cancer.  At the time they were founded, METAvivor was the only organization dedicated to funding research for Stage IV breast cancer and the only patient advocacy group speaking out about the desperate need for research dollars for MBC.  METAvivor remains the sole U.S. organization dedicated to awarding annual Stage IV breast cancer research grants. Currently only 7% of breast cancer research dollars raised go to MBC research.  METAvivor’s mission is to raise awareness and fight to see greater resources devoted to researching trials and potentially a cure for MBC.