7th Annual Minneapolis Metsquerade: Let’s Support Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness & Research!
By Katja Manrodt, RN, Health Writer
Image Source: www.minneapolismets.org
As an obstetrical nurse, promoting women’s health has always been near and dear to my heart. My work has involved providing bedside care to parents and their newborns after birth, guiding families through breastfeeding challenges, or helping with the recovery of women after gynecological and breast surgery.
In addition, my own mother has undergone the diagnosis and successful treatment of breast cancer.
Image Source: Pexels
Today, I hope to use my voice as a freelance nurse writer to amplify important causes that impact the health outcomes of women or AFAB individuals (assigned female at birth).
One of these causes involves supporting organizations that promote research into metastatic breast cancer. Unfortunately, not all forms of breast cancer are curable. Learn more below about this devastating disease, as well as valuable funding initiatives such as METAvivor and the 7th annual Minneapolis Metsquerade coming up on October 5, 2024. Also discover the impact made by Minnesota nurse and stage 4 breast cancer advocate, Erin Remme (1984-2020).
What Is Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) refers to cancer that originates in the breast and has spread—or metastasized—elsewhere in the body. This late-stage form of breast cancer is considered incurable. Treatments for patients instead focus on increasing quality of life and longevity. These treatments can include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
Why should the average person worry about breast cancer or MBC? In 2024, 42,250 people died of female breast cancer in the United States. The lifetime risk of developing female breast cancer is about 13.2%, or more than 1 in 8 women. In addition, while data suggests that less than 1% of all breast cancer cases and deaths occur in males, these cases show lower survival rates.
Image Source: Pexels
Of the 200,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year, 6-10% are considered metastatic. An additional 30% of earlier breast cancer stages will later metastasize. MBC is a big deal and should be on everybody’s radar…
However, merely 2-5% of research funding specifically targets stage 4 breast cancer—though some data suggests that number is increasing. One well-known nonprofit organization named METAvivor aims to improve this funding pathway.
What Is the Organization Called METAvivor?
Image Source: www.metavivor.org
METAvivor works hard to improve outcomes of those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer through research, support, and awareness. They achieve this through funding research grants for vital peer-reviewed scientific studies—all aimed to extend and improve quality of life for patients with MBC.
METAvivor embraces a mission to “transition metastatic breast cancer from a terminal diagnosis to a chronic, manageable disease with a decent quality of life.”
Image Source: Pexels
What makes this organization especially effective? Unless otherwise specified by donors, 100% of money raised through donations and fundraising events goes directly to research grants. This helps METAvivor’s supporters feel confident that their contributions make maximum impact on funding MBC research.
METAvivor also encourages its community to engage in many different kinds of fundraising events. View METAvivor’s events page for an updated list of nation-wide fundraising initiatives. While some events are smaller in scope, certain cities throughout the United States have put on large-scale events like Metsquerade gala fundraisers.
What’s the Scoop on Metsquerade Fundraisers?
Description: A crowd at a previous Minneapolis Metsquerade event bid on auction items to benefit metastatic breast cancer research.
Image Source: www.minneapolismets.org
Metsquerade fundraisers exist as large-scale, formal gatherings to raise money for metastatic breast cancer research. This moniker combines terms “metastatic” and “masquerade”—both overall themes of these gala-style events. Attendees often can be seen sporting black ties and ballroom dresses along with their festive masks.
These galas often consist of live auctions, meals and entertainment, speakers, survivor or “thriver” appearances, and remembrances of those lost to MBC.
Description: A table was set up at a past Minneapolis Metsquerade event, with a sign indicating it was "In loving memory" of those lost to metastatic breast cancer. Place settings with names and pictures encircle the decorative display.
Image Source: www.minneapolismets.org
About the Minneapolis Metsquerade and Its Founder
Description: Two influential MBC "thrivers," Erin Remme (1984-2020) and Beth Fairchild, embraced on stage at a past Minneapolis Metsquerade event.
Image Source: www.minneapolismets.org
METAvivor and its supporters have organized numerous metsquerades all over the United States. Amidst these nation-wide fundraisers, Minnesota’s own Minneapolis Metsquerade has raised over one million dollars for MBC research in just five years.
View an impact story video by SPOKE612 Productions for the 2018 inaugural Minneapolis Metsquerade.
Description: The late Minneapolis Metsquerade founder, Erin Remme (1984-2020), pictured with spouse Joshua Remme in front of an event display at a past Minneapolis Metsquerade gala.
Image Source: www.minneapolismets.org (Photo credit: becreationsphotography)
The Minneapolis Metsqeuerade was founded in 2018 by the late Minnesota native, Erin Remme (1984-2020), a registered nurse and educator, plus wife and mother of three young children. Remme received her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 31 after noticing a small lump on her breast. She was still breastfeeding at this time.
Remme left her permanent mark on the MBC community by dedicating the rest of her life to fundraising and advocacy efforts—despite enduring years of cancer treatments and debilitating illness while lovingly raising a family.
View another striking video by SPOKE 612 Productions for a sneak peek into the Remme family’s life years after the diagnosis rocked their world; it is a beautiful tribute to her persistent efforts to fight MBC.
Description: The Remme Family posed for a family portrait (pictured from left to right: Carter, Erin, Harrison, Josh, and Reese).
Image Source: www.minneapolismets.org/erin-remme-founder (Photo credit: Heather Faucher Photography)
Tragically, Remme had never received a prior diagnosis of any earlier, treatable stages of breast cancer. While only about 6-10% of breast cancers show metastasis upon initial diagnosis, all of these cases are considered fatal. Clinicians refer to this form of advanced diagnosis as “de novo metastatic breast cancer,” or “dnMBC.”
MBC diagnosis resulting after an earlier-stage form of breast cancer is referred to as “recurrent metastatic breast cancer,” or “rMBC.” These two forms of MBC show differing trends in 5-year survival rates, which has captured the attention of researchers.
How Do METAvivor and the Minneapolis Metsquerade Impact MBC Research?
Image Source: Pexels
Today, significant funding exists to promote detection and treatment of early-stage breast cancer. This research indeed plays a critical role in improving public health outcomes. However, MBC receives only a fraction of dedicated research funding—despite being the only fatal form of breast cancer.
According to statistics from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the average 5-year relative survival rate of those diagnosed with female breast cancer is 91.2%. However, when the breast cancer has metastasized, the rate plummets to 31.9%. One NIH study found the median length of survival of those diagnosed with dnMBC to be 25 to 27 months.
METAvivor and other supporters of MBC research strongly believe that more funds should exist specifically for MBC clinical trials. The phrase, “Stage 4 needs more” echoes this sentiment. On its website, METAvivor discusses being “the sole US organization dedicated to awarding annual stage 4 breast cancer research.”
While currently nobody will survive a diagnosis of MBC, perhaps that can someday change. Until then, research is crucial to increase length of survival time and quality of life for these “thrivers.”
Description: Erin Remme posed with her mother, Lynn Kovash, at a past Minneapolis Metsquerade event.
Image Source: www.minneapolismets.org/hostess (Photo credit: becreationsphotography)
Today, Remme’s mother, Lynn Kovash, continues her daughter’s legacy by hosting the Minneapolis Metsquerade. According to the event website, “While Lynn has had to endure the loss of two children, and her late husband, she remains one of the most positive people we know. She will not boast about her accomplishments, nor will she ask for your sympathy, but what she will do is ask for you to take action and fight for all of the angels, thrivers and future generations.”
The RNscribe’s MBC Connection
As a freelance nurse writer, what is my personal connection to Erin Remme and metastatic breast cancer? In this segment of the article, I’ll transition to calling her Erin… Even though the Minneapolis Metsquerade arose further into our nursing journeys, our initial connection goes back to the early 2000s.
Description: Members of the St. Olaf Track & Field team gather together (Erin was behind the camera for this particular photo)
Both Erin and I attended nursing school at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and ran on the same track and field team. Eventually, we both ended up living in the same neighborhood and working for numerous years as nurses in the birth center at North Memorial Health.
I credit Erin’s kind connections for playing a significant role in helping me achieve what I’ve considered my “forever role” as a postpartum and lactation nurse—a position I’ve held for almost 12 years.
Description: Some Maple Grove Hospital coworkers gathered at my baby shower "meet and greet" in 2015, including Erin and her daughter
Erin was a remarkably driven coworker and nurse educator. She also used her personal journey with MBC to inspire an entire hospital family to rally behind her far-reaching cause.
In every sense of the word, Erin was an includer and a motivator. Her personality and joy were infectious, and she had a positive influence on every person she met. The entire annual Minneapolis Metsquerade gala exists due to her targeted efforts—all while balancing metastatic breast cancer and parenting three young children.
Description: Erin Remme (front and center in a pink ballgown) and her Maple Grove Hospital coworkers posed together at the 2019 Minneapolis Metsquerade. As the writer of this blog article, I was also in this photo, honored to have attended this event at the peak of Erin's inspirational METAvivor advocacy. (Photo credit: becreationsphotography)
Erin’s shared persistently about METAvivor’s mission and impact. Her role in establishing the Minneapolis Metsquerade gala brought awareness of MBC to an entire region of passionate individuals. There is no doubt that what Erin created will continue to bring hope to MBC thrivers for many years to come...
As a tribute to Erin’s tireless MBC advocacy, consider either attending this year’s Minneapolis Metsquerade, supporting the event financially, or sharing the message with others.
Description: A logo for the upcoming Minneapolis Metsquerade on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Mystic Lake Center.
Image Source: e.givesmart.com/events/yOz/
The 2024 Minneapolis Metsquerade will take place at Mystic Lake Center on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 5pm to midnight. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased by visiting the registration website. In addition, supporters can also sign up to volunteer at the event, provide a one-time or recurring donation, or even set up their own fundraising page.
Description: Erin Remme often uplifted and connected with those around her, despite her regular struggle with metastatic breast cancer.
Image Source: premierwomenshealthmn.com/remembering-erin-remme-and-honoring-her-special-legacy/
First and foremost, Erin wanted to pass on her fierce advocacy for funding new metastatic breast cancer research. Spread the word TODAY to help Erin—as well as her past and present “thrivers”—make a continued impact. It’s our turn to take up the torch!
In the words of Erin Remme, “We can’t wait to help kick this awful disease to the corner.”
About the Author
The RNscribe, Freelance Nurse Writer
If you’re interested in learning more about hiring a skilled freelance nurse writer, The RNscribe, LLC has you covered! My name is Katja, the experienced nurse writer behind The RNscribe.
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