Leigh has been my friend my entire life. Our parents have been friends forever. I cannot remember a point in my life when I did not know Leigh, which I think most people can only say about siblings or cousins.
In June 2015, Leigh went to a dermatologist appointment (as I hope everyone does every year). She wanted her doctor to look at a mole that she thought looked funny. Her dermatologist did not think the spot looked alarming, but removed the spot for a biopsy. Leigh's instinct was correct, and shortly after her biopsy, she was informed that she had melanoma. Not only that, the melanoma had spread to her lymphnodes. Metastatic melanoma.
Leigh is 33, and at the time of her diagnosis, had a 3-month old baby, Rory. Yeah, he is the little guy in the pictures. As usual, cancer did not care about a person's age, or life responsibilities.
Leigh was diligent and received quick and successful surgical treatment. The entire ordeal caused Leigh to become inspired to find funding for melanoma research.
Leigh organized a group of us to participate in the Moving for Melanoma 5K in Wilmington, Delaware.
Of importance...to me, Leigh and I crushed her husband in the race. Sure, you might say, "hey, he is pushing a baby." One, look at that serious face. You cannot underestimate a competitor who looks that serious. Second, I have lost to people running with babies before. I think they secretly give you momentum. I am counting this as a win. Sorry, Ty.
Unfortunately, after a few months in remission, Leigh's cancer returned. She has undergone surgery again, and she is hoping to get in a trial at Foxchase Cancer Center for immunotherapy treatment that is supposed to be very good.
Leigh is a redhead with fair skin and probably more diligent about sun care than most people of my generation. I will say that people my age (we will go with roughly 30) are better than our parents were about sunscreen. I never witnessed my friends rolling around in baby oil and basking in the sun, which are the tales I hear from people my parents' age. That said, I also see my friends diligently slathering 50 SPF sunscreen on their children in a way I never saw them put sunscreen on themselves when we were growing up. That is why I think our generation is at a huge disadvantage in the healthy skin battle. For our generation, both the ozone and the sunscreen use were weak.
I encourage anyone to become an advocate for whatever they care about. I'm not hear to preach, but if you don't have a cause and are looking to help out society in some way, efforts to improve cancer research is a great place to focus your time and energy. Do the Melanoma 5K in Wilmington if you are in that area. Consider joining our 2016 team because I have no doubt that Leigh will be putting a team together next year. I love you, Leigh! You are strong, and you are a fighter, and I am so proud of you.
And in the words of Baz Luhrman, wear sunscreen.
In June 2015, Leigh went to a dermatologist appointment (as I hope everyone does every year). She wanted her doctor to look at a mole that she thought looked funny. Her dermatologist did not think the spot looked alarming, but removed the spot for a biopsy. Leigh's instinct was correct, and shortly after her biopsy, she was informed that she had melanoma. Not only that, the melanoma had spread to her lymphnodes. Metastatic melanoma.
Leigh is 33, and at the time of her diagnosis, had a 3-month old baby, Rory. Yeah, he is the little guy in the pictures. As usual, cancer did not care about a person's age, or life responsibilities.
Leigh was diligent and received quick and successful surgical treatment. The entire ordeal caused Leigh to become inspired to find funding for melanoma research.
Leigh organized a group of us to participate in the Moving for Melanoma 5K in Wilmington, Delaware.
The race was huge! When I pulled into the parking lot at the Wilmington waterfront, I was shocked at the number of teams! In 2016, we will need to get some kick ass team shirts to keep up with the T-game around us. The 5K was a nice loop around the Wilmington waterfront. The sponsors were giving away loads of sunscreen, which I diligently snagged.
Of importance...to me, Leigh and I crushed her husband in the race. Sure, you might say, "hey, he is pushing a baby." One, look at that serious face. You cannot underestimate a competitor who looks that serious. Second, I have lost to people running with babies before. I think they secretly give you momentum. I am counting this as a win. Sorry, Ty.Unfortunately, after a few months in remission, Leigh's cancer returned. She has undergone surgery again, and she is hoping to get in a trial at Foxchase Cancer Center for immunotherapy treatment that is supposed to be very good.
Leigh is a redhead with fair skin and probably more diligent about sun care than most people of my generation. I will say that people my age (we will go with roughly 30) are better than our parents were about sunscreen. I never witnessed my friends rolling around in baby oil and basking in the sun, which are the tales I hear from people my parents' age. That said, I also see my friends diligently slathering 50 SPF sunscreen on their children in a way I never saw them put sunscreen on themselves when we were growing up. That is why I think our generation is at a huge disadvantage in the healthy skin battle. For our generation, both the ozone and the sunscreen use were weak.
I encourage anyone to become an advocate for whatever they care about. I'm not hear to preach, but if you don't have a cause and are looking to help out society in some way, efforts to improve cancer research is a great place to focus your time and energy. Do the Melanoma 5K in Wilmington if you are in that area. Consider joining our 2016 team because I have no doubt that Leigh will be putting a team together next year. I love you, Leigh! You are strong, and you are a fighter, and I am so proud of you.And in the words of Baz Luhrman, wear sunscreen.
