Melanoma Research Foundation

• I just turned 45 years old.
• I would not describe myself as a “young” 45.
• I have never run an organized race before.
• I am neither a runner nor a naturally gifted athlete (though I had a reasonably successful collegiate intramural softball career).
• A half marathon is 13.1 miles – or so I have been told.
• My longest run ever, without stopping to rest or weep, was about 7 miles.
• That run took place 15 years ago.
• 15 years ago, Facebook had just surpassed MySpace in number of active users.
• I have used the Peloton bike religiously for the last 3.5 years. As such, I do have legs that could kick the doors off a tank. (This is a positive.)
• That said, thanks in large part to an apparently never-ending two-for-one special that my local Acme has on slices of cake, my overall physique is still best described as “mashed potato-esque.” (This is a negative.)
• Last week, many weeks into half-marathon training, I sneezed and in doing so hurt my shoulder (?). It took two days to heal.

Welcome to Claw Out Cancer!  Watch below!


May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and we wanted to do something to support (and surprise) our dear friend Addison.

So here is what we're thinking... let's CLAW OUT CANCER! 

Watch the video for instructions, and remember:

GRAB A WHITE CLAW, SUNSCREEN, SHOTGUN, and SHARE BY POSTING YOUR VIDEO TO https://www.facebook.com/groups/284114682622664/

Most important... Donate! All funds will be donated to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Love,
Team Add

Hey Everyone! This June I will turn 20.   I have decided to donate my 20th birthday to the Melanoma Research Foundation. Basically, instead of birthday gifts, I am asking instead for people to donate. My goal is to raise $2000 by my birthday, June 16th.

This organization is one that is very important and special to me.   Six years ago, my older brother, Chris was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 16. For the past 6 years he has been fighting a strong and inspiring battle.  He never let that hold him back from being the person he wanted to be. He was able to do amazing things such as; graduate from Notre Dame, run the New York City marathon, be an RA, work in Ireland, ski, travel, volunteer, kick the MCAT’s butt and many other inspiring things.  Many of these things were made possible by newly developed treatments partially funded by the MRF.  The MRF has not only helped my family, but thousands of families everywhere who share similar stories to ours. 

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. The MRF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients, caregivers and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma.

I am asking people to donate $20 (cause I’m turning 20 :) ) but any amount is not only welcomed but appreciated. If you can give, please give what you can!! 

Much love,
Caroline

Hi! My name is Spencer Kahler and I am running a Spartan Ultra Beast Marathon to raise awareness for Melanoma Research. All donations will go to the Melanoma Research Foundation (MFA). Thank you for your donation and together we can help fight Melanoma.

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you know, my father, Mike McTammany, was diagnosed and has been battling against Melanoma throughout the past 6 months. This year he has endured various chemo therapy treatments and went under the surgeon's knife twice for the doctors to take out a sizable portion of the growth on his back. Praise the Lord it has been a very successful effort against the cancer and his outlook is extremely positive! He has had a tremendous recovery and is even looking forward to coaching the Severn River Sharks for his 29th consecutive summer. I cannot thank you all enough for the unwavering support our family has received from the community, it truly does mean the world to us! 

On June 2nd, I am participating in the Baltimore 10 Miler and I am extremely excited to announce that I am dedicating my race to raising money to help fund the Melanoma Research Foundation! I believe this is a great opportunity to raise awareness, contribute to a world class cancer research foundation, and dedicate myself to a cause that is so near and dear to my heart! All donations are greatly appreciated as we race towards our goal of raising $2,500 to support the MRF. Please consider donating and sharing our page so we can raise awareness and honor the recovery of such an incredible teacher, coach, role model, and father!

Yours truly,

John McTammany

https://www.melanoma.org/

http://www.baltimoretenmiler.com/

Keith Davis, the Naffs (Diane, Jessie & Ryan), the Woods (Cindy, Mary & Elizabeth), and the Kroegers (Carol, Gretchen & Russell), all have been affected by the loss of a father, husband, or friend who has died from complications of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, and the 6th most common form of cancer in the United States. This year, they have decided to participate in the Hokie Half Marathon to raise funds for the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). The mission of the MRF is to use education, research, and advocacy to change melanoma from being one of the most deadly cancers to one of the most treatable cancers. Our goal is to raise at least $10,000 for the MRF. Any money raised through this site and our effort will go directly to the MRF in memory of Mike Naff, Keith Wood, and Barry Kroeger. To learn more about melanoma statistics, research, and prevention efforts or to donate directly to the Melanoma Research Foundation please visit https://www.melanoma.org . If you prefer, you may also write a check to MRF and give it to one of us to send on.

The link to this donation page is 
https://www.gofundme.com/keithmikebarry.

Thank you for any support you are willing to give!

This past May, I ran the Vermont City Marathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon. The sole reason I did this was for my grandmother. She survived four different types of cancer and continued to stay optimistic and keep her spirits high. Running a marathon is difficult, but it is nothing compared to what she had been through. As a mother of seven, she was also extremely caring and selfless. She wanted nothing more than to have a close-knit, happy family by her side. Because of her strength and dedication to our family and all of those in her life through her hardest times, I want to raise money for the Melanoma Research Foundation (the charity she chose) in her name so we can come closer to curing this horrible disease and people diagnosed can continue to have their close-knit, happy families by their side for a long, healthy life.

Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away on February 16th, 2015. She left behind a beautiful family and although she will not get to be there for when I cross the finish line, I know she will forever be watching over me and our family.

Thank you for your donation.