Question: Tell us your story! (How are you either a Survivor, Warrior or Protector)
Answer: I was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma at the age of 24, shortly after my son’s first birthday.

Question: The Hardest Lesson — What’s something about skin cancer you wish you had known earlier?
Answer: How serious it can actually be! It’s not JUST skin cancer and it’s not JUST getting a mole removed.

Question: A Moment That Changed Everything — Was there a moment that made you realize how serious skin cancer is?
Answer: When I was told the cancer had reached my lymph node and that we were told we couldn’t have another baby for 5 years.

Question: From Fear to Action — How did your perspective on sun safety and skin health change?
Answer: It’s changed everything! I’ve learned how to take care of my skin and my kids’ skin. The real importance of SPF and just being more mindful of my time outside.

Question: Becoming an Advocate — What drives you to spread awareness, and what message do you hope people take to heart?
Answer: You are not alone. If you are young and a mom going through a cancer diagnosis, I know you. I see you. I’m here for you. Don’t put all the weight on your shoulders.

Question: Unexpected Support — Who or what was the biggest source of strength for you during your journey?
Answer: My husband. Also getting connected with a social worker through University of Michigan.

Question: If You Could Change One Thing — What’s one sun habit you wish society would completely shift?
Answer: No more tanning beds!!!!

Question: Misconceptions — What’s the biggest thing people get wrong about having skin cancer?
Answer: That it’s just a mole you can get removed and it’s really “not a big deal.”

Question: The Impact of a Shirt — When you wear your Cabana Lifeline shirt, what does it symbolize to you?
Answer: Strength. Empowerment. Connection. Community. We are stronger together and you are not alone.

Question: Tell us your story! (How are you either a Survivor, Warrior or Protector)
Answer: 18 years ago I found a small lump in my neck that many doctors told me was nothing to worry about. The words that came across the phone line would haunt me for years to come: “You have a malignancy,” the doctor said. I fell to the ground sobbing and screaming. My son was only three years old at the time. He was too young to lose his mother.

I was rushed in to surgery where they performed a radical neck dissection and removed 44 lymph nodes from my neck. I had been told the type of cancer I had was curable and treatable. I would soon learn that I had been misdiagnosed and had stage III melanoma. Unaware at the time of how deadly melanoma was, I was initially relieved. I thought, “Melanoma is JUST skin cancer.” Then came the wake-up call. I soon came to understand that there was no cure or treatment at the time for metastatic melanoma. Most people including myself thought that skin cancer was no big deal.

I spoke out, shared my story, and started the Live4Life Foundation (L4L) to raise funds for research and increase awareness about melanoma — how deadly it can be and what can be done to prevent it. I was hopeful that my story could save other people’s lives by teaching them to protect themselves from the sun, protect their children, and let them know they need to get regular skin checks.

Over the past 18 years we have made so much progress, but we need to continue our research until we find an effective cure for melanoma.

Question: The Hardest Lesson — What’s something about skin cancer you wish you had known earlier?
Answer: As vigilant about sun safety as I have been, I was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on my nose and my forehead. Although it is not melanoma, I am still traumatized.

Question: A Moment That Changed Everything — Was there a moment that made you realize how serious skin cancer is?
Answer: When I learned that there was no treatment or cure for stage 3 melanoma and there was a real chance I would not survive.

Question: From Fear to Action — How did your perspective on sun safety and skin health change?
Answer: I was so young when I was diagnosed and felt as though I had an obligation to advocate, educate, and raise funds to help find a treatment and cure for the disease.

Question: Becoming an Advocate — What drives you to spread awareness, and what message do you hope people take to heart?
Answer: Skin cancer is not to be dismissed.

Question: Unexpected Support — Who or what was the biggest source of strength for you during your journey?
Answer: My son was my greatest source of strength. He was only 3 when I was diagnosed. I knew I had to fight to live for him. That is part of the reason I started the Live4Life Foundation.

Question: If You Could Change One Thing — What’s one sun habit you wish society would completely shift?
Answer: Stop associating the sun and being tan as healthy.

Question: Misconceptions — What’s the biggest thing people get wrong about having skin cancer?
Answer: It’s no big deal.

Question: The Impact of a Shirt — When you wear your Cabana Lifeline shirt, what does it symbolize to you?
Answer: Empowerment.

Question: Tell us your story! (How are you either a Survivor, Warrior or Protector)
Answer: 5-time Melanoma survivor and MRF advocate. After being diagnosed with my first Melanoma in 2014 we have partnered with MRF to raise over $630k to fund research grants.

Question: The Hardest Lesson — What’s something about skin cancer you wish you had known earlier?
Answer: Wear sun protection clothing and sunscreen whenever out in the sun. Also I wish I had never spent so much time on boats without a T-top or bimini shade — but who knew!

Question: A Moment That Changed Everything — Was there a moment that made you realize how serious skin cancer is?
Answer: I stopped going to the dermatologist for yearly checkups since at that time my doctor was useless and a waste of time. Finally, when my wife made an appointment at our current derm in 2014, I was diagnosed with my first Melanoma. That moment saved my life.

Question: From Fear to Action — How did your perspective on sun safety and skin health change?
Answer: Now I am always in SPF protective clothing and with sunscreen on when I am in the sun.

Question: Becoming an Advocate — What drives you to spread awareness, and what message do you hope people take to heart?
Answer: It's simple: get screened and get it diagnosed early and you live. If you don't, you may not survive the diagnosis.

Question: Unexpected Support — Who or what was the biggest source of strength for you during your journey?
Answer: My wife and kids. My first diagnosis was when my kids were very young and I wanted to ensure I was here while they grow up.

Question: If You Could Change One Thing — What’s one sun habit you wish society would completely shift?
Answer: Changing the way teenagers think. I constantly see my kids' friends not paying attention to the sun and its effects.

Question: Misconceptions — What’s the biggest thing people get wrong about having skin cancer?
Answer: That it only comes from sun damage. Skin cancer comes in many forms which is why your screening should include where the sun don't shine.

Question: The Impact of a Shirt — When you wear your Cabana Lifeline shirt, what does it symbolize to you?
Answer: Protection and knowing I am supporting Melanoma research.