ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Marylandian -- METAvivor Research and Support Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC), announces that Kelly Shanahan, Jamil Rivers and Barry Lenk have joined the METAvivor Board of Directors.

"We are delighted to welcome Kelly, Jamil and Barry to the METAvivor Board," said Michael Kovarik President of METAvivor.  "They are all fully supportive of our mission, and their past work on behalf of METAvivor shows that they have the dedication and expertise to help us meet our goals.  We are thrilled for them to join our Board."

Barry Lenk is a retired attorney who resides in Vienna, Va. Barry has served as a director on the boards of many non-profit. He is a caregiver to his partner who is living with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Barry will serve as METAvivor's Director of Advocacy.

Jamil Rivers is a chief financial officer with a non-profit in Pennsylvania. She is a patient advocate and has continued to work full-time since receiving her stage IV metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. She serves as a Director-at-Large on METAvivor's Board and focuses her attention on teaching young women how to be advocates for themselves and their health. Jamil and her husband have three children and reside in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

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Kelly Shanahan, MD is a retired medical doctor who worked in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. She resides in South Lake Tahoe, CA with her husband and she is looking forward to their daughter graduating from college in May, a milestone she didn't think she would see when diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2013. Kelly serves on METAvivor's board as director for the organization's 2020 Sea to Sea for MBC tour.

Other Board members include Michael Kovarik, Terlisa Sheppard, Patrick Quinn, Beth Fairchild, Barbara Bigelow, Leslie Falduto, Karin Petrocelli and Dian "CJ" Corneliussen.

METAvivor also announces the new slate of officers for the Board of Directors:

·        Michael Kovarik, President

·        Beth Fairchild, Immediate Past President

·        Terlisa Sheppard, 1st Vice President

·        Patrick Quinn, 2^nd Vice President, Treasurer

·        Leslie Falduto, Secretary

·        Sonya Negley, Executive Director

"I couldn't ask for a better team to achieve some big goals in 2020." Said President Michael Kovarik. "It is truly an honor to work with each one of these talented individuals who are serving on METAvivor's Board and representing the stage IV metastatic breast cancer community."

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About Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer also known as stage IV or advanced breast cancer, occurs when the cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body.  This usually includes the lungs, liver, bones or brain. 114 women and men die each day from metastatic breast cancer. There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer although there are treatments and therapies for those living with the disease.

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.  METAvivor's main focus 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 awarded 106 research grants totaling $13.6 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 the terminal 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, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.