I am a melanoma survivor. My first melanoma was in 2005, the second earlier this year.
Yesterday was a special day for survivors. We were given the opportunity to attend Making Magic for Melanoma Research held at the St. Regis in Park City. This was a unique event put together by my doctor Sancy Leachman, a dermatologist who is head of melanoma research at Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City. This was a kick off for a scientific meeting of the Pam American Society for the Pan American Society for Pigment Cell Research - a unique meeting. Survivors and doctors mingled throughout the day and survivors were able to ask in depth questions of specialists, surgeons and researchers. The meeting kicked off on the terrace patio with a health fair and table tops manned by cancer experts. I met and mingled with other survivors and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors.
At 4:30 PM I was ushered to the luxurious spa at the hotel (you ride in a funicular to get to the hotel) to change into formal attire for the evening presentation and fund raising reception. I felt like superwomen going into a very classy telephone booth. Collie met me looking very spiffy in his dark suit - what a silver fox!
The pre reception presentation was given by Roger Hanlon, PhD and Senior Scientist, Professor of Ecology and Evolution (titles and accomplishments go on and on). It was fascinating as he shared his exploration into cuttlefish and how they use their skin like a brain to change colors and camouflage so they can avoid being eaten. How will this research benefit humans? Perhaps we will learn what leads to aberrant cell development and how it ties in with skin cancer.
After Dr. Hanlon's presentation we adjourned to the terrace and seven doctors from Huntsman presented their favorite research projects that needed funding. We chose to donate to a dermatologist who is working with schools to make children aware of the dangers of sun.
I met a beautiful young woman who had melanoma on her face and carried a huge scar. She has started a nonprofit for survivors who will spread the word about staying safe in the sun as well as supporting those of us who have had melanoma. Because of Utah's altitude, dedicated outdoors people, and the fact that it is populated mostly by fair skinned people of northern European ancestry, we have one of the highest per capita incidences of melanoma in the US.
Yesterday was a special day for survivors. We were given the opportunity to attend Making Magic for Melanoma Research held at the St. Regis in Park City. This was a unique event put together by my doctor Sancy Leachman, a dermatologist who is head of melanoma research at Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City. This was a kick off for a scientific meeting of the Pam American Society for the Pan American Society for Pigment Cell Research - a unique meeting. Survivors and doctors mingled throughout the day and survivors were able to ask in depth questions of specialists, surgeons and researchers. The meeting kicked off on the terrace patio with a health fair and table tops manned by cancer experts. I met and mingled with other survivors and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors.At 4:30 PM I was ushered to the luxurious spa at the hotel (you ride in a funicular to get to the hotel) to change into formal attire for the evening presentation and fund raising reception. I felt like superwomen going into a very classy telephone booth. Collie met me looking very spiffy in his dark suit - what a silver fox!
The pre reception presentation was given by Roger Hanlon, PhD and Senior Scientist, Professor of Ecology and Evolution (titles and accomplishments go on and on). It was fascinating as he shared his exploration into cuttlefish and how they use their skin like a brain to change colors and camouflage so they can avoid being eaten. How will this research benefit humans? Perhaps we will learn what leads to aberrant cell development and how it ties in with skin cancer.
After Dr. Hanlon's presentation we adjourned to the terrace and seven doctors from Huntsman presented their favorite research projects that needed funding. We chose to donate to a dermatologist who is working with schools to make children aware of the dangers of sun.
I met a beautiful young woman who had melanoma on her face and carried a huge scar. She has started a nonprofit for survivors who will spread the word about staying safe in the sun as well as supporting those of us who have had melanoma. Because of Utah's altitude, dedicated outdoors people, and the fact that it is populated mostly by fair skinned people of northern European ancestry, we have one of the highest per capita incidences of melanoma in the US.
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