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Make 2nds Count have had an incredible year of fundraising in 2023. As we look back at some of the amazing fundraising events we would like to thank all our supporters for all events big and small and for making it the year that it was.

What a busy year it has been in Research! Since welcoming our new Research Manager, Dr Sarah Thomas, we have completed our first research grant awarded by the charity, announced our largest ever grant and launched our first open call for research proposals to kick off in 2024.

We've had an incredibly exciting and busy year for our support services as they continue to grow and meet the needs of the community. In 2023 we have delivered: 106 attendees at our 2nds Together wellbeing retreats 12 Tea & A Chat groups around the UK 1300 '2nds Together' private group members 432 littlelift boxes sent 334 Little Book of Admin sent 348 Birdsong yoga attendees Our first event of 2023 was the online 'Wellbeing Week' in February with the focus on Menopause and its impact on those living with secondary breast cancer.

This year clinical trials was a key area of focus for our Education programmes, helping people living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer to access the information they need to explore the option of clinical trials as part of their treatment pathway. Our Patient Trials Advocate service has really taken off this year!

SBC & ME Date of Diagnosis: 23/05/2023 Current Treatment Line: Current on 7th cycle of Nab paclitaxel and Phesgo. How Does SBC Affect Your Life: Was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before giving birth in May.

In 2019 Make 2nds Count awarded it's first research grant to Dr Olga Oikonomidou, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Leader of The University of Edinburgh Breast Cancer Translational Research Group at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre. This grant was used to fund a 3-year post-doctoral researcher post, held by Dr Fiona Semple within Dr Oikonomidou's team.

I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer (also known as metastatic, stage 4 or advanced breast cancer) in the summer of 2022. I found a lump in my breast but unfortunately, after many, many tests and scans, we discovered it had already spread to my bones.

SBC & ME Date of Diagnosis: 05/04/2023 Current Treatment Line: I am currently on my first treatment line. I have just finished 6 rounds of chemotherapy (Docetaxel) which I had every 3 weeks.

The Advanced Breast Cancer International Consensus Conference in Lisbon takes place once every 2 years. It brings together medical experts from all over the world to share best practice in treating advanced and secondary breast cancer.

SBC & ME Date of Diagnosis: 04/08/2022 Current Treatment Line: Ribociclib, Letrozole and Denusomab. I started my treatment journey on weekly chemo called paclitaxel which worked really well to reduce and get the cancer under control.

SBC & ME Date of Diagnosis: 27/09/2022 Current Treatment Line: I am taking daily bisphosphonates (Ibandronic acid), oestrogen blocker (Aromasin) and targeted therapy (Ribociclib). How does SBC affect your life?: I am 63 and my life has totally changed due to secondary breast cancer.

‘Staying Alive: A Book Of Hope’ is a poetry book which was created by Seren Haf, Rachel Woods, Jill Davies and Lorraine Burroughs. This book has been created by women living with a secondary cancer diagnosis and shares their experiences through creative writing to offer strength and wisdom to anyone else affected by secondary cancer.

McCann Health London have been great supporters of Make 2nds Count and on 16th September 2023 they took a team of 30 employees to climb Ben Nevis. Louise Hewitt, Copy Director at McCann Health London has shared her fundraising story with us.

Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy®) is a targeted therapy used to treat certain types of secondary (metastatic, advanced) breast cancer. So, let’s delve into the science of Trodelvy and take a look at a secondary breast cancer patient’s experience on this drug.