Age: 23
Diagnosis: Stage 2 Melanoma
Date of Diagnosis: January 2004

In January of 2004 my life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 20. Since I was 18 I had been visiting tanning booths in an effort to hide my pale complexion and erase all indication of my Irish heritage, so I could “look like everyone else.” Three years later I have come to realize that looking and acting like everyone else is far from what I want to do.

My battle with cancer was one that defined the person I am today and from first hand experience I know what it’s like to struggle with self esteem issues and embarrassment over scarring. My surgery is one that resulted in over 70 stitches, a large disfigurement on my stomach and scars under both arms where 8 lymph nodes needed to be removed to ensure the cancer had not spread inside my body. As a result I want to change how people view scarring and increase awareness about skin cancer. Due to the fact that skin cancer is the most preventable form of cancer I feel that most people don’t consider it an “epidemic.” With tanning salons popping up around every corner, I must disagree.

My mission is to educate and inform young men and women about the dangers of sun exposure and to raise awareness in general about this ever increasing problem.

As a result of my experience, I have been working on a project to not only enhance knowledge about skin cancer, but to celebrate women across the country who have survived and been forever marked by their battle.

I have created a black and white calendar celebrating these women. The theme of the calendar is education and prevention and features each woman exposing her scar. This calendar is meant to benefit The SHADE Foundation and to better today’s image of what is considered “beautiful.”

I believe that this calendar can be used as a successful fundraising tool and, due to its artistic element, will spark not only the interest of those who have experienced cancer first hand, but also those who have not faced a personal struggle.

For the past year I have been speaking to local high schools, fund raising events and boys and girls clubs. I am available to speak to any group upon request. I have created a power point presentation which corresponds with the speech I give. I cover three main topics in my presentation:

• Melanoma and My Experience
• Life changes After Cancer
• Prevention and Protection

The response thus far has been overwhelmingly positive and I plan to continue speaking throughout my community.