Weekly Round-Up
Welcome, dear readers. I’m so glad you’re here.
In Miracle in Manhattan, Beth recalls a transformative day in Manhattan during chemotherapy — a visit to her beloved Aunt Helene that unexpectedly brought both comfort and healing.
Carolyn takes on the well-worn phrase “everything happens for a reason,” exploring its heavy weight when life delivers pain without explanation
Nancy turns leftover Halloween candy into something deeper — a meditation on permission and guilt. She reminds us that it’s okay to rest, to say no, to release impossible standards, and yes, to enjoy the candy without shame.
Connie transports us to Oak Island, North Carolina, where a three-day writing retreat at Fort Caswell became a haven for reflection, beach walks, and steady creative work.
Barbara shares a heartfelt Veterans Day reflection, expressing deep gratitude to those who have served and to their families.
Gabby writes on why she no longer wishes to “turn back time,” and how healing means embracing who she’s become, not who she once was.
In her latest Cure article, Martha outlines three major pathways for cancer advocacy—self-advocacy, research advocacy, and political advocacy—and explains how each offers unique opportunities to make an impact.
And in Our MBCLife‘s #WeRemember episode, we honour those we’ve lost to metastatic breast cancer over the past year — a space to reflect, to grieve, and to hold one another gently in shared remembrance.
For many of us, one loss feels especially close this week. I am still in shock at the passing of Jo Taylor — a fierce, fearless advocate for people living with MBC. Jo founded METUPUK and inspired the #BusyLivingWithMets movement, challenging the world to see that people with MBC are not defined by their diagnosis but by their strength, vitality, and worth.
I want to close with METUPUK’s beautiful words that capture Jo’s legacy far better than I ever could:
“Jo was a tireless advocate, a fearless campaigner and a beacon of hope for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2007 and with metastatic breast cancer in 2014, Jo dedicated her life to changing the narrative around MBC. She founded METUPUK and created the powerful #BusyLivingWithMets movement to show the world that people with MBC are living, thriving and worth the investment. Jo’s legacy is one of courage and unwavering determination. Her work has touched countless lives both here in the UK and around the world. From her advocacy and public speaking to the creation of the red flag signs and symptoms infographics, she undoubtedly paved the way to empower others to find their voice. She championed change with unwavering resolve and spoke with unflinching honesty. Jo’s voice lives on; her messages echo louder than ever: we demand change. Our thoughts are with Jo’s family, friends, and the entire MBC community. She will be deeply missed and absolutely never forgotten. She had the heart of a lioness.”
Rest in power, Jo
Until next time,
May the week ahead offer moments that steady your heart and lift your spirit.
Much love always
Marie xxx
