METAvivor

Dedicated to the specific fight of women and men living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. At the time of METAvivor’s founding, no organization was dedicated to funding research for the disease and no patient groups were speaking out about the dearth of stage 4 cancer research.  While more and more people have taken up the cry for more stage 4 research, METAvivor remains the sole US organization dedicated to awarding annual stage 4 breast cancer research.

The Smith Center For Healing & The Arts

Smith Center is a nonprofit health, education, and arts organization in Washington DC.

Their mission is to develop and promote healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental resources that lead to life-affirming changes for people affected by cancer. Programs focus on cultivating each person’s innate ability to heal, helping participants explore meaning and maintain hope even in the face of life’s challenges.

Smith Center was recognized by the 2022-2023 Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the best small charities in the region.

Participants experience free outdoor adventure programs that empower them to climb, paddle, and surf beyond their diagnosis, reclaim their lives, and connect with others doing the same.

Why young adults?
Cancer, MS, and all serious health conditions present unique challenges and obstacles to young adults. Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in adolescents and young adults. With approximately 87,000 new diagnoses annually, young adults comprise the fastest-growing and most underserved oncology age demographic. Additionally, MS is the most common neuroinflammatory disease affecting the young adult community.