Thriving Together 2026: LBBC's MBC Conference Through Our Eyes
"You walk into a room full of people living with metastatic breast cancer and you just... break down. Not because it's sad — though it is — but because for the first time, you're not alone in it."
Twenty years in, LBBC's Thriving Together Conference is still doing what no other event in the MBC space does: bringing patients together not just to learn, but to find each other. In this episode, four MBC patients who attended the 2026 conference share what moved them, what the science is saying, and why they'll keep coming back.
Symptoms Spotlight: Hair Loss with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk
"Hair may seem like a small thing compared to staying alive. But hair is such an integral part of who we are — of how we see ourselves, and how the world sees us. It's important not to ignore the effect that losing our hair may have on our wellbeing." — Abigail Johnston
S**t We Deal With Shorts: Time Burden with Dr. Jill Tirabassi
"You hear things like, 'living with cancer is a full-time job.' And actually this was an interesting study where we looked to see what truly is the time burden for people living with either metastatic breast or ovarian cancer... The time spent waiting and traveling for care often exceeded the amount of time receiving care. Most days, participants had a home cancer-related task to do—80% of days. The median was about 209 minutes per week doing cancer related tasks at home."
— Dr. Jill Tirabassi explores new research quantifying the invisible labor of living with metastatic cancer
Front Row Seat: We'll Never Cure Cancer Without AI, Say Steve Brown & Lisa Booth
When Steve Brown's doctors missed his rare blood cancer for months, he turned to AI for answers. The system he built spotted the warning signs immediately—the same lab results his physicians had dismissed.
Now, as CEO of CureWise, Steve and patient advocate Lisa Booth are pioneering a new approach to cancer care: using AI agents trained as specialist doctors to help patients navigate treatment options, find clinical trials, and advocate effectively with their oncologists.
"There's a gap between what's possible and what most people are getting," Steve explains. "Cancer isn't just one disease. Everybody has their own unique version of it."
Lisa, an 11-year metastatic breast cancer survivor, adds: "My oncologist sees 600 patients. CureWise empowers me to show up to that seven-minute appointment with the right questions already researched and the clinical trials already identified."
This conversation explores how AI is transforming patient empowerment—and why knowledge might just save your life.
Our Happy Place: Heated Rivalry Rx
Victoria and Jill discuss their obsession with HBO Max's "Heated Rivalry," exploring why this hockey romance has become the perfect escape from MBC realities. Victoria shares personal insights as a Russian speaker, and the hosts draw parallels between sports teams and their community. Spoilers included!
MBC Insiders: MBC Awareness Day and More
This is a special episode released Oct 13 for National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. It is the first in our recurring series, we call “MBC Insiders.” We’ll explore the issues that matter most to people with MBC, including how the language clinicians and media use can harm or help, and candid conversations about progression and the idea of “cure.” Stay tuned for an important, honest discussion.
Future at Risk: What Happens when Funding Stops
In the world where breakthrough cancer treatments hang in the balance, federal funding cuts are threatening to derail critical research that could save countless lives.
Our guest is Dr. Gloria Echeverria, a molecular biologist and passionate advocate for scientific discovery, who leads her own lab at Baylor College of Medicine. Her team investigates the molecular and genetic mechanisms that make TNBC resistant to standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.She shares what it’s like to run a research lab in today’s climate, the challenges of securing funding, and the ripple effects these cuts have on training the next generation of scientists, advancing new therapies, and supporting patient advocates.
Future at Risk: About Us, MBC, and the Role of Research
In this powerful panel episode, hosts Victoria Goldberg and Abigail Johnston are joined by Dr. Jill Tirabassi and Alexis Desai—each bringing their unique perspective as patients, advocates, and experts living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Together, they share personal stories about navigating diagnosis, the critical role of research in extending lives, and the real-world challenges of accessing clinical trials.
The conversation dives deep into why research funding matters, how advocacy can drive change, and the urgent need for patient-centered care. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or ally, this episode offers insight, hope, and a call to action for everyone invested in the future of cancer research.
Tune in to hear firsthand experiences, learn about the latest advocacy efforts, and discover how you can help move the needle for those living with MBC.