Garwood Country Singer Sheds Light On Metastatic Breast Cancer

GARWOOD, NJ — Garwood native Connor Myers is all about giving back especially during the pandemic. He has hosted porch concerts and will now be performing his newest song "Country Pride" to help shine the light on metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Myers was reached out to by Tami Bowling, a 47-year-old Scotch Plains mother of two young daughters living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (MBC), to perform in the global #LightUpMBC Live campaign.

Bowling began volunteering for the #LightUpMBC campaign which helps to raise awareness and money for metastatic breast cancer research.

As part of the campaign, Bowling is co-hosting #LightUpMBC Live, a virtual benefit, that will take place on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. on @METAvivor Facebook Live and metavivor.org where over 115 landmarks in all 50 states as well as Canada and Ireland will light up in the MBC symbolic colors of green, teal and pink.

Local landmarks will also be lit up including the Scotch Plains Municipal Building, Eastman Plaza in Cranford, the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth, and The James Ward Mansion in Westfield.

The virtual benefit will feature inspiring MBC stories along with musical performances. Performers include Scotch Plains local John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, David Bryan of Bon Jovi, who is also a Tony Award winner of Broadway musical "Diana", and Myers.

"It's an honor doing what I love doing and at the same time helping people with another great cause. If I can help raise money and awareness for the outstanding Light up MBC, I am honored to be apart of that," Myers said.

To learn more about Myers and his music visit connormyersmusic.com or facebook.com/connormyersmusic or instagram.com/connormyersmusic.

Bowling's journey began six years ago when she moved to Scotch Plains and went to the doctor for a routine checkup. She was given a clean bill of health but was told to get a mammogram as a precaution.

That's when she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

"I immediately said I wanted to get a double mastectomy but the doctor said 'It's too late.' The PET scan showed that the cancer had already spread to my liver and at stage 4, it was an incurable diagnosis," Bowling said.

Bowling who had her 2- and 4-year-old daughters was shocked. She was very healthy, exercising regularly and eating well. She never had a health issue relating to this before.

"Although my current treatment is working well, I live each day knowing that the 5-year survival rate for MBC is less than 25 percent. My mantra has become #MakeEachDayMeaningful," Bowling said. "Despite the diagnosis, I am committed to finding gratitude in every day. I see silver linings with greater clarity and have learned that life is centered on relationships."

Despite her grim diagnosis, Bowling made it her mission to bring awareness to this terminal disease.

"Did you know 115 people die every single day of metastatic breast cancer? Picture a plane falling out of the sky every day. Where is the outrage?" Bowling said.

To learn more about Light Up MBC or to donate visit Metavivor.org/LightUpMBC.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.