Remembering Rebecca Timlin-Scalera

We are incredibly saddened to share that AdvancedBreastCancer.net team member Rebecca Timlin-Scalera passed away on December 14th, 2019. Rebecca was a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a neuropsychologist, an activist and so much more. She is survived by her husband, daughters, family, and friends. She is already dearly missed.

A dedicated advocate

Rebecca tirelessly advocated for metastatic breast cancer in more ways than one can count. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and one year later she founded the Cancer Couch Foundation. In just 4 short years, the Cancer Couch Foundation funded $3 million in research.

She spoke and wrote about the importance of metastatic research in her non-profit but also for the AdvancedBreastCancer.net community. Read more here.

Here's what some of the community had to say about Rebecca:

In 2016, Rebecca partnered with the Western NY (WNY) Flash, the women's soccer team. Their stadium is located in Rochester, NY where I live as well as where Rebecca's in-laws. Soccer was a huge part of Rebecca's life when she was in college, so this partnership was close to her heart. When Rebecca learned that I also was living with MBC she contacted me and asked if I would be willing to be the Cancer Couch Outreach Coordinator in Rochester. I would table every home game the Flash played and represent TCC in order to raise awareness/funds. Of course, I agreed. I met Rebecca in person that July in Buffalo at the Flash training camp to film a commercial and take publicity photos. Our stories were so similar except for that she wasn't Stage 4 at that time.

In August 2016, the Flash held the ”Pink Game”. It was a huge event that kicked off the partnership. It was very successful. The following month my husband and I attended the first annual Cancer Beat. I will never forget that night, for many reasons, mostly because it was that night where I finally met Dr. Nik Wagle. He is head of the MBC Project and one of the two researchers funded by TCC. He's kind of my idol.

Since then, I have been one of the many people Rebecca has counted on to support any and all of her campaigns. - Susan Rahn, AdvancedBreastCancer.net advocate

Join us in remembering Rebecca

We know that Rebecca touched so many in the community through her advocacy, contagious smile, writing & speaking. If you would like to share any memories or stories about Rebecca, please visit our memory wall.