Honoring her memory and supporting the Metastatic Breast Cancer Community

Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV breast cancer, occurs when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Treatments can sometimes slow its progression and extend life, but there is no cure. Almost all breast cancer deaths result from metastatic disease. About 6% of patients are metastatic at initial diagnosis, while roughly 1 in 4 people initially diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will eventually experience a metastatic recurrence.

Despite this devastating impact, less than 5% of breast cancer research funding focuses on preventing or overcoming treatment resistance, one of the greatest barriers to treatments capable of producing lasting remission or a cure.

Marlene was diagnosed with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) in 2022 after previously having early-stage breast cancer. With no treatment capable of curing the disease, she continued moving forward through one treatment after another while remaining active and engaged in the life she loved. The strength and determination she demonstrated throughout nearly four years with metastatic disease were unmistakable expressions of her warrior spirit.

Research is the only path to treatments that do more than temporarily delay progression. It is the path toward lasting remission, longer lives, and ultimately a cure.

About Marlene

Marlene Tobin was born on June 30, 1960, in New York City and later made her home in Inverness, Florida. A longtime Citrus County resident, educator, coach, mentor, athlete, and runner, Marlene placed family and community at the center of her life.

She dedicated herself to teaching, encouraging young people, serving others, and bringing people together through athletics. Her strength, generosity, determination, and compassion left a lasting impact on her family, students, friends, and community.

Marlene passed peacefully at home on June 11, 2026, under the loving care of her family and hospice. The MT Hearts Memorial Foundation was created to preserve Marlene’s memory through movement, service, and community, and to carry forward the values that defined her life.