Live Chat: Shining a Light on MBC with Tami Bowling
Live from Stage 4 | Episode # 9 | 10/23/2025 | Live Chat
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Guest
Tami Eagle Bowling
Motivational speaker, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) "thriver," and a prominent advocate who has raised millions for medical research
Background and MBC Milestones
Diagnosis: In 2015, at age 41, Tami was diagnosed de novo (from the start) with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer despite having no family history of the disease.
Education and Early Career: She graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Marketing and spent 20 years in media sales for major brands including Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, and Bon Appétit.
Philosophy: Her personal mantra is #MakeEachDayMeaningful, a philosophy she adopted to maintain a positive mindset while raising two young daughters after her diagnosis.
Milestones: As of 2025, she has reached a rare "10-year cancerversary" of living with MBC.
Key Initiatives and Organizations
#LightUpMBC: Serving as the Global Campaign Director, she leads this annual movement that illuminates landmarks (such as the Empire State Building) in teal, green, and pink on October 13 to raise MBC awareness.
#LightUpMBC LIVE: She created this virtual broadcast event which, as of late 2025, has helped raise more than $2 million for research through the non-profit METAvivor.
The Eagle Method: Tami founded this framework to help others build resilience and purpose through corporate wellness and motivational speaking.
The Janice Jam: She co-produces this Broadway benefit concert, which supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
Advocacy and Recognition
Policy Work: She is a member of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance and a policy advocate who has spoken on Capitol Hill to push for increased research funding.
Awards: She has received the Play for P.I.N.K. Humanitarian Award and a Joint Legislative Resolution from the State of New Jersey for her dedication to the cancer community.
Media Appearances: Her story has been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and in Glamour magazine.
Quick Summary
What happens when one person’s story becomes a beacon of hope for thousands? In this powerful episode, host Victoria Goldberg sits down with Tami Bowling, creator of LightUp MBC Live, to explore her path from a shocking metastatic breast cancer diagnosis to becoming a passionate advocate and fundraiser.
Tami opens up about her early days navigating uncertainty, the emotional impact on her family, and how she transformed adversity into action. Discover the inspiring origins of LightUp MBC—a campaign that now lights up hundreds of landmarks worldwide, raises millions for research, and unites communities in support and education.
You’ll hear about the campaign’s global reach, the importance of advocacy, and the many ways people can get involved—from lighting up their own towns to supporting vital research grants. Plus, Tami shares stories of resilience, the power of community, and her vision for the future of metastatic breast cancer awareness.
Tune in for an episode filled with hope, actionable inspiration, and a reminder that one person truly can make a difference.
Takeaways
Personal Resilience and Advocacy
Tami Bowling’s transition from a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis to becoming a passionate advocate shows the power of turning adversity into action and finding purpose through helping others.The Birth and Growth of LightUp MBC
LightUp MBC began as a way to raise awareness for metastatic breast cancer by lighting up landmarks in tricolor—teal, green, and pink. It has grown into a global movement, with hundreds of landmarks and cities participating worldwide.Community and Global Impact
The campaign unites people affected by metastatic breast cancer, their families, and supporters, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. It also educates the public and encourages involvement at every level, from lighting up local buildings to organizing watch parties and proclamations.Importance of Education and Research Funding
A key message is that awareness alone isn’t enough—education about metastatic breast cancer and increased funding for research are critical. LightUp NBC has raised millions for research grants, directly supporting scientists and new treatments.Multiple Ways to Get Involved
Listeners are encouraged to participate in advocacy in whatever way feels right for them—whether through fundraising, lighting up landmarks, volunteering, or spreading awareness.Hope and Inspiration
Tami’s story, and the stories shared through LightUp NBC, offer hope and inspiration to those living with metastatic breast cancer and their loved ones, showing that community and advocacy can make a real difference.
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Organizations Mentioned
LightUp MBC
The main campaign discussed, focused on raising awareness and funds for metastatic breast cancer by lighting up landmarks.A dynamic virtual event that serves as the centerpiece of the #LightUpMBC campaign, bringing together the metastatic breast cancer (MBC) community and its supporters for an evening of storytelling, inspiration and impact. Hosted annually on October 13 on Metastatic Breast Cancer awareness day, this live-streamed program features powerful stories from MBC patients and their families, musical performances, and appearances by special guests who amplify the mission of raising awareness and funds for MBC research. #LightUpMBC Live provides a platform for education and advocacy, highlighting the urgency of funding scientific breakthroughs for the most advanced stage of breast cancer.
METAvivor
A patient‑founded nonprofit dedicated solely to metastatic breast cancer. Founded in 2009 by Dian “CJ” Corneliussen‑James with co‑founders Avis Halberstadt, Karen Presswood and Rhonda Rhodes, the Annapolis‑based, largely volunteer group funds patient‑centered, translational research, pushes for metastatic patients’ inclusion in trials and policy, and builds peer support and education. As of 2024 METAvivor has awarded roughly 218 peer‑reviewed research grants totaling about $37.25 million, and the organization reported a record 195 Letters of Intent for its 2025 grant cycle — showing growing interest in metastatic‑focused science.Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance
As a collective of cancer nonprofits, pharmaceutical and biotech industry members and individual patient advocates, the Alliance serves as a national leader in collaborative action to transform and improve the lives of people living with metastatic breast cancer. We leverage the resources and knowledge of our dynamic group of trusted experts to increase awareness and education about the disease, and advocate for policy changes and increased funding for research that holds the potential to extend and enhance life – and ultimately end MBC.BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
A nonprofit organization committed to achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer. It provides critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship.Since its founding in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, BCRF has raised more than a billion dollars to fuel its mission to be the end of breast cancer.
In 2025-2026, BCRF will award $74.75 million in annual grants to more than 260 scientists from top universities and medical institutions around the globe. In addition, BCRF has established the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, a multi-year international program to unravel the biology of metastasis. It is the largest privately funded project exclusively focused on metastasis in the world.
The Janice Jam
The Janice Jam: Broadway for Breast Cancer is an evening filled with music and fun, benefiting breast cancer research and awareness. The 3rd annual event on Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 7:30PM (doors open at 6:00PM) at Sony Hall.will have 100% of net ticket proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This annual event is the brainchild of Matt DeAngelis (Swept Away), who lost his mother, Janice, in 2022 to metastatic breast cancer.
