Melanoma Monday

I have to say,  Melanoma Monday was once again successful! Yes, there was a color war going on, but people talked about Melanoma. That's the most important thing! Talking leads to awareness. Awareness leads to early detection and prevention!

Here a few important things that happened today:

* Yahoo shared a great article about Melanoma

* Melanoma Girl shares her story!

* FDA considers attaching warning labels to tanning beds!

* And a big announcement: "Earlier today, in honor of melanoma Monday, L’Oreal Paris announced that over the next three years they will donate over $750,000 to Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) to fund the new L’Oreal Paris-MRA Team Science Award, led by internationally renowned cancer researcher Dr. Meenhard Herlyn, to research ways to help prevent, cure and treat melanoma. They have also kicked off a campaign encouraging people to test their “Skin IQ” and reminding people that “skin cancer doesn’t care what color your skin is.” (Source.)

Yep, I think it was a great Melanoma Monday!

I Am Somebody.

Melanoma Awareness Month is going out with a bang for me! This has been such an exciting day that I do not even know where to begin. First of all, thank all of you for putting up with my many Facebook posts this month. Just a warning, they won't be ending just because May is over. As one melanoma friend told me, we are lifers when it comes to sharing awareness!

I rushed home during my lunch break to pick-up a box from Fed-Ex today. The box contained copies of the 2012 Skin Cancer Foundation Journal!

As I have mentioned before, I am so honored to have played a part in the Skin Cancer Foundation's journey toward raising awareness. I think the Foundation itself is incredible and the people who work for them are absolutely amazing. The folks that I met in the office in April were so kind and inspirational. They, without a doubt, are saving lives. I want to thank them again for including me in this project. http://skincancer.epubxp.com/i/65757/0

What project am I mentioning? I was a part of their article about teenagers who have used tanning beds. I was included with 2 other girls as the new Faces of Melanoma. You can read the article online here; however, I encourage you to purchase the entire Journal for $5.00!

While you are reading the Journal, I encourage you to check out their new program geared towards middle school students. http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/education-program Maybe you can encourage your own local teachers to use this free program to educate their students on the dangers of skin cancer. Oh, and you can check out the interview I did with them here, too! (There are two parts to the interview. One, on the page I linked above and also here.)

As if the release of the Journal was not exciting enough, I also was notified that 2 of my articles were published today on Everyday Health. I would love it if you check out these articles as well. I am proud of both of them. I would love to hear what you think.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer-center/meta-what--metastatic-melanoma-.aspx

http://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer-center/melanoma-monday--what-can-you-do-.aspx

One more bit of exciting news, I received my first paycheck for writing. As a lady with a degree in English, I never imagined I would actually accomplish the dream of making a (small) living by sharing the thoughts in my big ol' head. Today, it was shocking to look at that little sum in my bank account and know that someone valued my words enough to slip me a few dollars. I didn't think I had the ability. Heck, I still don't think I have the ability, but I am so proud of myself. I am making my dreams come true. (Oh, and I am using that expensive college degree.)

When I was first diagnosed, I wanted to read the words of people who had experienced this cancer. I wanted a campaign that would encourage me and tell me the truth. I didn't want to just read the facts, I needed to read about the experience. I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so after the advice from my mom, I started this blog. I started something that I needed.

...and I am doing things.

Choptank Trot!

I had a wonderful time last weekend. Mr. Spots, my baby sister, and I traveled to Cambridge, Maryland to meet my mom & step-dad and participate in the first Choptank Trot for Melanoma! It was a beautiful day, a gorgeous location, and a great bunch of people! 

*My mom made team shirts:

"Team Chelsea

Supporting the fighters,

Admiring the survivors,

honoring the taken,

and never, ever giving up 

hope."

I also had the true pleasure of meeting one of my Molemates for the first time in person! Lynette is a stage IV (badass) melanoma warrior. She kicked butt in the 5K! She is just as sweet and fun as I thought she would be in person. I am looking forward to meeting up with her and her (awesome) husband Mike in Chincoteague sometime in the very near future. Lynette and Mike, this time I think we should include tequila. Yes? 

Tasha is the melanoma warrior who organized this event. She deserves a lot of respect for this. It was a great run/walk and very well organized. I can't wait to see what she does next year! I imagine this will double in size next year! 400 runners/walkers? I totally see it happening! Sadly, we didn't take a picture, but I want to thank Tasha for the shout-out during her speech. Because she talked about finding my blog when she was first diagnosed, I was able to meet another blog reader. Mary Sue, thank you for coming up to me and sharing your story! I am looking forward to getting together for lunch sometime soon! Until then, take care of yourself, little lady. You've had one heck of a fight!

I really enjoyed the walk and being surrounded by others who have been touched by this disease.

Speaking of this disease....Have you seen Susan's interview with her local news?

*Did you hear about Miss Grace, the YOUNG girl with melanoma? If a 4 year old can fight this battle, you can too. Chin up.

* Perez Hilton, a famous celebrity blogger, blogged about the dangers of tanning beds here. 

* Follow my blog on Everdayhealth.com!

 

...Must go catch up on sleep now. I hope you are all healthy and happy!

Tan-Free

Happy Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

Have you scheduled your appointment with your dermatologist yet?

What are you waiting for?

Today I am asking you to read Susan's latest post. She's the mother of Ms. Jillian, a young lady in her early 20's who is battling stage IV melanoma. Grab the tissues. This one got to me.  

Now, go spread some awareness. Please.