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WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Inc. and METAvivor today announced the launch of Elements, a new initiative of the #ThisIsMBC campaign. Elements spotlights nine people living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and their personal stories through powerful, avant-garde portraits conveying the impact of the disease on a person's mind, body and spirit. The portraits will be featured as a pop-up art exhibit to be unveiled during the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) taking place December 4-8, 2018.

"Women and men who live with MBC, from all communities, have very different challenges and needs than people may have with early stage breast cancer," said Halli Lannan, MBC patient, advocate and participant of Elements. "For us, fighting cancer means we undergo treatment for as long as we live, carrying the physical and emotional weight that comes with it. We work every day to overcome those challenges and hope to inspire others to do the same through the portraits and messages of Elements."

The project aims to encourage others living with MBC, their friends and loved ones, to share their individual experiences through creative expression; to help build and maintain relationships that provide support, strength, encouragement and change misperceptions about the disease. Following SABCS, the exhibit will live exclusively on MBCInfoCenter.com where people can view the portraits, hear their inspirational stories, find helpful resources and show support for those living with MBC. Each month in 2019, a new portrait and theme will be unveiled and added to the Elements gallery on MBCInfoCenter.com to inspire them on their journey. Those living with MBC and those who support them can get involved by sharing a video about their personal story using #ThisIsMBC.

"Research has shown that two-thirds of women with MBC find it helpful to read or listen to other peoples' experiences with breast cancer," said Beth Fairchild, president of METAvivor. "Through this portrait initiative, we hope to bring these women and men closer together by offering an avenue to creatively express their frustrations and fears, as well as their hopes and joy through the expressions of mind, body and spirit."

To make a donation to MBC research and support those living with MBC, please visit METAvivor contributions. Each participant who donates $25 or more can receive a complimentary #ThisIsMBC journal featuring portraits and stories from Elements.

"Through this partnership Eisai is committed to help raise awareness of this often misunderstood condition and support those who are living with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis," said Teresa Cronin, Director of Corporate Advocacy at Eisai Inc. "This campaign is inspired by our human health care mission through which we strive to connect with patients and their families in a meaningful way to develop programs that will have a positive impact on the community."

Facebook Live Launch Event Delves into Heart of #ThisIsMBC Elements Campaign
As part of the launch, people are invited to tune into a Facebook Live discussion, hosted by METAvivor and Eisai, featuring members of the MBC medical and patient community who will be discussing how MBC affects the body, mind and spirit. To join in the conversation, visit Facebook.com/METAvivor on Thursday, December 6 at 9:30am CST. 

To learn more about #ThisIsMBC and this initiative and find helpful resources on metastatic breast cancer, please visit METAvivor.org or MBCInfoCenter.com.

About Metastatic Breast Cancer 
Metastatic breast cancer is an advanced stage of the disease that occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body. In 2018, an estimated 266,120 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States and an estimated 40,920 women will die from the disease. It is estimated that approximately 6 to 10 percent of women with breast cancer will have metastatic disease at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. Women diagnosed with metastatic disease have an estimated 5-year relative survival rate of about 27%.

About METAvivor
METAvivor Research and Support Inc. is an Annapolis-based, 501(c)(3), volunteer-led, non-profit organization founded by metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 2009.  The focus of the organization is to fund critical research that will lead to advances in treatment options, quality of life and survival for patients diagnosed with MBC.  Since 2009, METAvivor has awarded 62 research grants totaling over $6.3 million. METAvivor is the only national organization with a peer-reviewed grant program aimed at exclusively funding MBC research, and 100% of all donations go to fund research. 

METAvivor also raises awareness of MBC, provides support for people living with this disease, and offers opportunities for others to help make a difference for the metastatic community. METAvivor has gained a rapidly growing following within the breast cancer community, and has become a leader in its field. 

Visit us at www.METAvivor.org, click here to support MBC-specific clinical research, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Eisai Inc.
At Eisai Inc., human health care (hhc) is our goal. We give our first thoughts to patients and their families, and helping to increase the benefits health care provides. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., we have a passionate commitment to patient care that is the driving force behind our efforts to discover and develop innovative therapies to help address unmet medical needs.

Eisai is a fully integrated pharmaceutical business that operates in two global business groups: oncology and neurology (dementia-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases). Each group functions as an end-to-end global business with discovery, development, and marketing capabilities. Our U.S. headquarters, commercial and clinical development organizations are located in New Jersey; our discovery labs are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania; and our global demand chain organization resides in Maryland and North Carolina. To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at eisai.com/US and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Eisai Inc.