Singing for Cancer Warriors Everywhere
- America's Got Talent star and metastatic breast cancer warrior Jane Marczewski, who goes by the stage name Nightbirde, recently shared that her original song about her story called It’s OK reached more than 2 million streams on Spotify.
- Many cancer warriors around the globe have voiced their support for the artist and used her as a source of inspiration in their own cancer battles.
- Advanced breast cancer that is technically incurable, but treatment can help keep you as stable, slow the tumor growth and improve your quality of life for many years.
Marczewski was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer on New Year's Eve in 2019, and she's still fighting for her health. The 30-year-old pop artist’s world turned upside down when doctors found multiple tumors on her liver, lungs, lymph nodes, ribs and spine. They told her she had three to six months to live, but she's still singing today. In an interview with local news station NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio, Marczewski said her doctors were hopeful after her recent chemotherapy treatment. And even though she knows her cancer is "incurable," she's determined to chase down her dreams and inspire many along the way.
Read More“Wow I cannot express how grateful I am for each and every one of you!” she wrote in her caption. “I may not feel the best right now but this certainly makes my soul burst into so much hope and happiness. Thank you all again for supporting my dream by simply just listening to my music.”View this post on Instagram
But fans were quick to note that they had a lot to be grateful for as well. Multiple cancer warriors left heartfelt comments under the post to remind Nightbirde just how many lives she’s touched.
For example, @janinelebt explained that they had been diagnosed with an incurable cancer multiple myeloma just last year, but that Nightbirde had impacted them in a very special way.
“Your song, spirit, and words just touched me,” they wrote. “I’m sure tons of people with an illness have reached out and said that. I just had to voice it as well. I have been thinking about you ever since and am sending my strongest wishes for those 2%, my softest hugs, and my listening ears! You are amazing!”
Another fan all the way from Germany said they were battling cancer for the last six years and understood the daily physical and mental struggle it can cause. Still, they were inspired by Nightbirde’s success and determined to stay positive.
“I’m done and dusted when I see you like this and share your joy of life with us,” @schnubbystravel commented. “Stay strong my friend and we both can do it.!!! I thank you so much and a big hug from Germany, you a a hero, a fighter a role model for everyone else.”
And @jacjac0508 shared that they had a very similar story to Nightbirde, but that they had faith in God like Nightbirde has openly said and was confident they would both get through their cancer battles.
“Dear Nightbirde, thank you for being you!” they wrote. “You are a strong fighter and an inspiration! Love you and support you! God loves you and heals you! I have been fighting breast cancer since I was 29, now with bone and liver metastasis and undergoing chemo again. But have FAITH and peace! WE WILL WIN THIS. Nothing is too difficult for God!”
Marczewski was originally scared to share her cancer journey with the world because she didn't want to become the "sob story" of America's Got Talent. But after seeing all the lives she’s touched, Marczewski has realized the power of vulnerability.
"I'm grateful that people don't see me as someone who is just having a pity party. I am also grateful for the impact my story does have because I wouldn't be here at this point without what I have experienced," she told NBC's Brad Johansen. "Maybe there would have been another way for me to reach many people, but it would never be what it is. But it possibly wouldn't have meant as much, and my song would never hit as hard had it not been coming from someone who really has been lost. So, in the end, it's all worked out for good."
Marczewski will perform again on America’s Got Talent during the live performance shows which begin August 10.
Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer also called "stage four" breast cancer means that the cancer has spread, or metastasized, beyond the breasts to other parts of the body. It most commonly spreads to the bones, liver and lungs, but it may also spread to the brain or other organs, according to the American Cancer Society.
When Breast Cancer Spreads to the Bones
And while there is technically no cure for metastatic breast cancer, there is a wide variety of treatment options used to battle the disease including hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy and a combination of various treatments.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Elizabeth Comen, an oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explained how she tries to management breast cancer when its progressed to a later stage.
"With advanced disease, the goal of treatment is to keep you as stable as possible, slow the tumor growth and improve your quality of life," she said.
Breast cancer may be the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer, but there are so many breast cancer survivors and people living with the disease today. The American Cancer Society reports that there were more than 3.8 million U.S. women with a history of breast cancer alive at the start of 2019. Some of the women were cancer-free, and others still had evidence of the disease, but they also reported that more than 150,000 breast cancer survivors were living with metastatic disease, three-fourths of whom were originally diagnosed with stage I-III. And with ongoing advancements in treatments and options out there today that can dramatically reduce systems, there are many reasons to be hopeful.
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