Special Guest post for Twin Lakes Charity Event…

Ladies and Gentlemen

Joanne Christian:

What do Bob Marley, Frank McCourt, and Jim Johnson have in common?

All notable in their respective fields of music, sports and literature–and all have died from melanoma.

Sure, you may remember Bob Marley died of a brain tumor (and BTW his mother lived in Delaware), and Frank McCourt had lung cancer, while Jim Johnson only last year had a backache. But their respective cancers were of some of the most agressive, and silent source–melanoma.

Many only associate melanoma with skin cancer. And it is–but it is the agressive spread to organs silently, that does the devastating damage that turns a simple visit to a doctor to remove a mole here or there, or a “patch” from this spot, far too often into a fight for your life.

What many folks don’t understand is the funding for this understated disease gets lost in our ignorance. It is viewed as “skin cancers”–like the “simple” kind that may come with age, and treated with excision alone. Then we have our misguided beliefs that yes, Bob Marley did die from a brain tumor, hence funding may get directed towards those more commonly known brain cancers like gliomas, and astrocytomas, when the real truth is his brain cancer was the spread of melanoma. That dear reader, is the cruelty of funding. And that, informed reader is the reality of this disease.
This unheralded disease has alarming statistics, and limited attention. It is an orphan in funding amongst the cancers, yet has some of the most encouraging results when action is taken. It is for these reasons that Delaware Liberal has partnered with Twin Lakes Brewery to sponsor this non-partisan fundraiser for the very deserving, and grassroots charitable organization Miles for Melanoma.

Come on out and support this event, that Donviti is trusting to non-partisan participation and sponsorship. Like I’ve said before…”Because the Sun Shines on US All”. I heard it’s all the beer you can drink, and we’ll have some nibbles. If there’s any interest I’ll even auction/raffle off a case of TAB–but you have to be there to win!!! Come on out!!! And let’s help acknowledge the fight against this dread disease.

* Fastest growing cancer currently in the USA and worldwide

*Most common cancer in young adults aged 20-30

* Currently more new cases of melanoma than HIV/AIDS

* Crosses all races, both genders, and all age groups
However: Women age 25-29 have the most deaths with melanoma being the primary cause of cancer death

Women age 30-35 melanoma #2 cause of cancer death after breast cancer

Source: Melanoma Research Foundation