To bring awareness to metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and to show support to those impacted by the disease, the City of Tampa will illuminate multiple locations on Friday evening.
Old City Hall, the Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Park, the Louver Fountain and palm trees, Brorein Street Bridge, Kennedy Blvd Bridge, Fortune Street Bridge, Platt Street Bridge, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge will all be lit in pink, teal, and green, the colors of the MBC ribbon.
Metastatic Breast Cancer, also known as Stage IV, is breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, most commonly the bones, lungs, brain, and/or liver. There is currently no cure for MBC.
Robin Bethune, a Tampa mother, requested the City of Tampa light up local landmarks as a part of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day to honor the memory of individuals like her daughter, Erica Griffiths, who passed away from the disease on May 7, 2021. Erica was 42 years old with no family history of breast cancer when she discovered a lump while breastfeeding her daughter, Isobel. Shortly after getting tested, she was diagnosed with MBC. The cancer had spread to her liver and bones.
Robin Bethune hugging her daughter, Erica Griffiths
City Councilman Guido Maniscalco, joined by Robin Bethune, will lead the lighting at Old City Hall on Friday, October 13, at approximately 7:00 pm. Councilman Maniscalco will also present a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Jane Castor to Bethune on Saturday, October 14, at the second annual #LightUpMBC Tampa Bay 5K Race and Fun Run. The family-friendly event will take place at 8 AM in Gadsden Park, 6901 S MacDill Ave, with 100% of the proceeds going towards research for a cure.
Media outlets are invited to attend both the landmark lighting on Friday and the 5K race on Saturday. Registration is still open for the race.