For many years now, you have supported me with my journey through two breast cancers and my involvement with Komen Charlotte’s Race for the Cure. I appreciate that very much. This year, I have a new direction – breast cancer research. 

In 2020, my dear friend, Pam Kohl, started The Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer Collaborative Research Initiative. It was launched here in North Carolina to coordinate research collaborations between two founding research institutions: Duke University and the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill. The singular goal is to fund groundbreaking metastatic breast cancer (MBC) research to improve outcomes for those living with the disease and one day find the cures to end it. The hope is to expand this fund and invite additional North Carolina based research institutions to join us in our mission.  

This year, I am focusing my fundraising solely on this important research initiative. My sister, Margaret, and I have had two breast cancers each, so research is extremely important to both of us. Thanks to research, we have both benefited from medications that help us kick breast cancer’s butt and lead full lives. I’m traveling all over the world. Margaret is playing pickleball!

So many of you have been very generous in the past, and I’m asking all of you to be generous this year. My goal is $10,000. Together, we exceeded $10,000 last year, and I’m hoping we’ll do so again this year. Your donation will support Komen’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Collaborative Research Initiative between Duke University and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. This restricted gift provides families and MBC patients hope for life-saving treatment and cures.

“It is research that will cure this disease, and until then, it is research that will give patients and their families the priceless gift of time.” - Pam Kohl, Komen MBC Patient Advocate

Thank you, everyone!

Neel

Grateful two-time breast cancer survivor