Scotch Plains Mom Is Shining Light On Metastatic Breast Cancer

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Tami Bowling is a 47-year-old Scotch Plains mother of two young daughters living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (MBC), praying every day that there will be enough treatment options that she will be able to watch her children grow up.

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 daughters, ages 2 and 4 at the time, 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."

Bowling has now 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.

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.

In Scotch Plains, between 8 to 9 p.m., Bowling will have Mayor Smith join into the livestream with some metastatic breast cancer patients who will be there to view the lighting.

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 Connor Myers, a Marine who lost his hearing but is now a country singer in Westfield.

"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 Light Up MBC or to donate visit Metavivor.org/LightUpMBC.

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