Lebanon County proclaims Oct. 13 Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Lebanon County commissioners on an unspecified October date approved a proclamation declaring Oct. 13, 2025, Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and heard from local advocates who urged increased research funding for stage‑4 breast cancer.

The proclamation, read aloud for the record, said metastatic breast cancer — when cancer spreads beyond the breast — is responsible for most breast‑cancer deaths and that less than 10% of breast‑cancer research funding is directed to that terminal stage. The county voted to sign and adopt the proclamation; commissioners responded in the affirmative when the clerk asked for a voice vote.

Don Heumann, identified in the meeting as a local advocate, spoke after the reading and described Medivivar (referred to in the record as Medivibar/Mediviva) as a national nonprofit dedicated to funding stage‑4 breast cancer research. Heumann said the organization recently passed $30 million in research grants and described the emotional toll of the disease, referencing his daughter, Ashley, who died after a three‑year battle following diagnosis. "This is a terrible disease that impacts so many people," he said.

Heumann and others described LightUpNBC, a regional campaign to illuminate landmarks in the colors associated with metastatic breast cancer awareness (teal, green and pink) on Oct. 13, and noted local participation such as lighting Founders Park and the Miller Insurance Building in Jonestown. Commissioners then voted to approve the proclamation and invited advocates to pose for a photo.

The proclamation urges residents to join national awareness efforts and to support increased funding and research for stage‑4 breast cancer.