While the first year was fantastic, I have to say that year two was
even more incredible. Prior to my first
anniversary, I had met the Rev. Carol who is an incredible presence in the
online melanoma community. I’ve been
fortunate enough to cross her path a couple of more times since then, but also
extremely blessed to have met so many others.
Anne, Timna, Chelsea, Rich, Tara, Donna, Mark…the list goes on! The first two, Carol and I met while lobbyingfor the anti-tanning bill at the NC Legislative building last year (and Anne
continues to be a major force in this year’s campaign!) The others I met at the amazing AIM for aCure Walk in Charlotte in November. There
are so many others I’ve virtually met online and via Twitter…far too many to
mention. I have highlighted some of
these folks in individual blog posts (such as Hillary and Lily) while I’m sure
I’ll introduce the world to others soon.
I hope to meet many more in the coming year and beyond!
To “celebrate” my second year of blogging, I’d like to do the same
thing I did last year by reviewing my Top 10 most read blog posts from Year Two. But before I get to the countdown, I’m
amazing by the staying power of some of my older posts. Real People of Melanoma continues to be read
almost daily and is still, by far my most read blog. People still seek out Eric Sizemore and TinaSullivan. And of course, people still
search for my T-shirt. (By the way, I’m
trying to find a cheaper distributor/manufacturer…I’ll share more on that in a
few weeks…I hope).
So here’s the Top 10 of Year 2:
#10 – Tanning Myths and Facts
I wrote this the day before I joined Carol, Anne and Timna at the North
Carolina Legislative Building to lobby the anti-tanning bill (the fight is
still going on!). I had thought that if
a representative wanted to know the facts about indoor tanning versus the
myths, I could simply say, “Read my blog.”
I’m not sure if anyone did, but I still think it’s a good piece on
tanning facts and myths.
I had fun showing a more humorous side…although there’s really not much
funny about cleaning up cat poop and pee from previously nice furniture! (By the way, I have two almost-new bean bags
available to give away…please ignore the smell of cat piss.) Yet the real thrill of writing this piece was
sharing some good news of a definitive medical link between UV rays and melanoma. Previous links were primarily statistical and
not as strong…a fact the tanning industry used to jump all over. But as of this writing, that all
changed. It seems the tanning industry has
started to crumble ever since.
I had the great pleasure of meeting with some folks who organized an
MRF Walk right here in Apex, North Carolina in honor of their two daughters,
Amanda and Corey. My personal schedule has
prevented me from helping out much this year, but I hope to start pitching in
soon for the 2013 walk to be held in October again. I’m pleased that this piece continues to draw
in readers, but I have also learned that there’s a Playboy model by the name of
Amanda Corey. Even if that’s the reason
Google leads people to this site, it’s a convenient way to spread the word
about melanoma awareness!
#7 – Oompa Loompa…
When I read that the director of the original “Willy Wonka and the
Chocolate Factory” had died after a bout of melanoma, I felt it appropriate to
honor the Oompa Loompas which have become an iconic caricature of extreme
tanners. I also paid tribute to Rich
McDonald who runs the Hotel Melanoma and has an amazing gift of converting
classic rock lyrics to melanoma based lyrics.
It took me forever to write one modified verse of the Oompa Loompa song…I
don’t see how Rich can knock out so many songs so quickly. Well done!
I wrote this piece in response to a Today Show segment in May which features
Joseph Levy, sun tanning industry spokesperson and guru. (Yes, the same Joe Levy who nearly killed the
bill currently in the NC General Assembly.)
Mr. Levy made a comment that sun is essential, like water…a necessity of
life. I decided to share that water can
be dangerous and that sunscreen was analogous to wearing a life jacket. I doubt Mr. Levy would have listened, but I
hope others did.
This was my first “Facebook first, Blog second” posting. Meaning, I posted a question on Facebook,
asking where on one’s body melanoma appeared.
I received a tremendous response and decided to share the results in my
blog. My results came very close to
actual diagnosed locations as shared from the Melanoma Education
Foundation. The point of this piece was
to make sure you get checked…from head to toe!
This was a “letter” I wrote to the breast cancer community after seeing
pink ribbons on tanning products or in tanning salon promotions and after
tanning sessions were offered as a door prize at a breast cancer awareness
event. My point was that we all fight
against cancer and that I was merely asking them to help fight our cancer by
preventing such promotions in the future.
I hope that the high readership of this blog helped to accomplish this.
#3 – Black Salve
This one continues to amaze and confuse me. I ran across a video where the smarmy girl
announced a “natural cure for skin cancer and melanoma.” This cure is Black Salve…a corrosive compound
that eats away the flesh. There are
multiple accounts of the dangers of this product (it’s banned in the US and its
primary manufacturer operates out of Ecuador) so I wanted to bring this to
light. Amazingly, most people who’ve
read this posting seem to support the use of black salve. I posted a question on Facebook and several
of my readers stated that they’d be tempted to try it. I’m not a doctor, but based on my reading, I
wouldn’t advise using it. Then again, I
don’t have melanoma so I’m not capable of understanding the limits one would go
to eradicate the disease from their body.
#2 – Does Melanoma Hurt?
It’s interesting to see what key words or phrases in Google led people
to my blog. “Does melanoma hurt” has been such a phrase that has popped up many
times. I attempted to answer as best I
could and many of you shared your insight.
That question still comes up weekly as one of the key words in Google.
Hillary Quinn Kind was the melanoma warrior that was featured in the
Stand Up 2 Cancer special on television.
In an instant, she became the face of melanoma. The entire melanoma community went crazy for
her and her story touched so many others.
Melanoma had taken its step to the forefront of the cancer stage beside
others and its face couldn’t have been more beautiful. But in October, Hillary passed away. I’d never met her or corresponded with her,
but I was deeply affected by her death.
Apparently, so were many others as this is the second most popular post I've written overall! The haunting song of “Simple Gifts” that was played during her video on
SU2C also has a very personal meaning to me regarding my brother Jeff.
And that’s the reason for this blog…Jeff. While I wish every day that Jeff was still
with us, in some ways his bout with melanoma became a blessing for me. He inspired me to carry on the message of sun
safety. He inspired me to talk with
people I may never have met. He has
given me purpose beyond what I felt I needed.
As I stated last year, I will continue to write this blog and spread awareness
of this awful disease. I will write my legislators to ban tanning for minors…not
only in Jeff’s memory but to protect my own children. I will share his story and I will share the
story of many other warriors. I will
feel great joy when I hear of a warrior’s…a friend’s…success in fighting
melanoma. I will feel great sadness at
word of one’s struggle or passing. And I
will cry every damned time I hear “Simple Gifts”…even when played by the WVU
Marching Band.
Thank you for continuing to read my blog and follow me on Facebook. I hope the day comes when we’ll never have to
mention melanoma again. Until that day,
let’s keep fighting…together!
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