Sit a spell, have some tea

To the breast cancer community,

My heart is broken. The inimitable Holley Kitchen passed away early this morning from metastatic breast cancer.

After her initial diagnosis and treatment, Holley thought her breast cancer journey was over. She was shocked when she was diagnosed with MBC. Despite a grim prognosis, Holley joyously gave of herself so that other women might have a chance at living longer. It was her mission to educate the public: her now-viral video about MBC has been viewed more than 50 million times.

Holley lived her life with grace but never failed to call out people and organizations on their shortcomings. I met with Holley twice and we kept up a friendship via email. Holley wanted to learn more about Susan G. Komen and I wanted to discuss the changes that we’ve been making as well as those we need to make to be more inclusive to the MBC community and impactful on MBC.

Thanks to Holley and other women with MBC, we ARE doing what she hoped: we ARE talking about MBC and the harsh reality that as many as 30% of all early stage breast cancers will become metastatic and Komen IS doing something about it by focusing more resources on MBC research and clinical trials.

Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one, but MBC makes tomorrows far less certain. Holley knew that her time on earth would be shortened, but she fought every day for more time with her two sons and husband. While she had hoped to live to celebrate her son’s upcoming 5th birthday; she will certainly find a way to let them know that she is there with them then and always.

I treasure my friendship with Holley and the time we spent together. She told me that we “just need more you’s out there.” I will keep that in my heart and continue to work so that one day we are no longer saying good-bye to beautiful women like Holley.

Godspeed, Holley. Forever in my heart.

To the breast cancer community,

We just lost an incredible ally in the fight against Metastatic Breast Cancer, a woman who made a difference with her honesty, forthrightness and will to live. Through the legacy of writing and videos that she left behind, Holley Kitchen will continue to make a difference.

I am devastated I did not have the chance to meet this tremendous spirit. However, I am forever grateful that she touched so many lives with her Facebook videos, TV appearances, and participation in Pfizer’s Story Half-Told campaign, sharing information that is often too painful to discuss, and opened up a conversation about MBC.

It is important to remember how much the metastatic community needs our help. Although 6 to 10% of new breast cancer cases are diagnosed as Stage IV, It is estimated that 20 to 30% of all cases will become metastatic. Right now, it projected that 155,000 people are living with MBC.

Holley never forgot that my sister Suzy died from MBC and I am happy to report that Susan G. Komen has a renewed emphasis on MBC. We are dedicated to understanding why metastasis occurs and have invested more than $147 million in over 370 research grants and 35 clinical trials focused on MBC. Komen has partnered with a wide variety of breast cancer organizations to found the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, working together to advance research and policy efforts to extend and enhance the quality of life.

Please share Holley’s video in memory of this kind, beautiful woman and in honor of the metastatic thrivers who need our help. Let’s remember her by working together to bring an end to the terrible disease that took her from us. The Talmud tells us, the days are long, the work is hard, but we are forbidden not to try. We will continue to work in honor of Holley and all the women gone too soon.

You can donate to Holley’s family through…

Paypal to [email protected] - which does not charge any fees. Please make sure you select the “Send money to friends or family” option.