It’s a story repeated all too often in “Melanoma Nation.” A beautiful young woman finds that an
innocent looking mole is actually melanoma.
She discovers that the melanoma is far more serious than “just skin
cancer” and enters a fight for her life.
A few such women have been fortunate enough to fight their way to N-E-D
status (no evidence of disease) while far too many passed away. Such is Amanda’s story.
Amanda Faye Brown had a pencil eraser sized mole on her shoulder. Her husband Michael thought of it as a beauty
mark. But eventually, Amanda saw a
dermatologist and it was determined to be Stage I melanoma. It was surgically removed with the assurance
that it was all gone.
It wasn’t.
In November of 2004, a small nodule was spotted on the inside of her
thigh as well as a couple on her abdomen.
The melanoma had been spreading within her body for the previous two
years. She was diagnosed as Stage IV. A
dozen or so tumors were discovered on her lungs and she was given a few months to
live. She fought on for longer, but died
on April 15, 2006 at the age of 31.
Amanda kept a journal of her fight so as to enlighten others of the
horror of this extremely dangerous cancer.
Michael had vowed to educate others so as to prevent this same tragedy
in other families. He began speaking at
local middle schools and high schools and sharing Amanda’s story. A few months ago, he published a book called Finding N-E-D, No Evidence of Disease. The book is a compilation of Amanda’s journal
entries intermixed with Michael’s own thoughts and memories.
Tomorrow, on November 12, 2013, Michael embarks on a multi-city tour to
speak with over 2,500 students nationwide. He calls the tour “Amanda’s Message
Tour.” He begins in Erie, PA at
MacDowell High School. Today (November
11, 2013), he visited the regional cancer center in Erie where he entertained
and shared some fun moments.
You see, Michael is the saxophonist for the legendary rock group Sha Na
Na. He told me of today’s visit to the
cancer center, “I played my sax and sang a few Sha Na Na songs. We played ‘Name That Tune!’ It was a fun moment with awesome patients!”
Michael is doing a great thing…sharing Amanda’s story, helping to cheer
up those who are fighting for their lives, and educating kids on sun safety and
skin cancer. But Michael needs some
help. He has a lot of heart to tackle
this tour, but unfortunately he has limited funding. He could use our help.
I know this is a big time of year for charities and holiday gifts, so
it’s not always easy to give. I know the
Charlotte AIM for the Cure Walk is upon us on November 16, and so many of you
are spending cash to participate or donate.
Still, I ask that you spread the word and continue making a contribution
to Michael’s mission. He had set a goal
of $6000 to help pay for the expenses of the tour (he’s driving his own car and
looking for modest priced motel rooms along the way). So far he’s raised $530…not even 10% of his
goal, and his tour starts tomorrow!
If you can help, thank you. If
you can’t with a donation, then please spread the word of Michael Brown’s
mission and encourage others to make a contribution. And if you live in any of the following
cities, spread the word to local media and consider attending yourself. Here are the tour dates:
Nov 12 Erie, PA
Nov 13 Mansfield, OH
Nov 14 Cincinnati, OH
Nov 15 Owensboro, KY
Nov 18 St. Louis, MO
Nov 19 Springfield, MO
Nov 20 Mustang, OK
Nov 21 Amarillo, TX
Nov 22 Albuquerque, NM
Nov 25 Winslow, AZ
Nov 26 Kingman, AZ
Nov 27 Las Vegas, NV
Nov 13 Mansfield, OH
Nov 14 Cincinnati, OH
Nov 15 Owensboro, KY
Nov 18 St. Louis, MO
Nov 19 Springfield, MO
Nov 20 Mustang, OK
Nov 21 Amarillo, TX
Nov 22 Albuquerque, NM
Nov 25 Winslow, AZ
Nov 26 Kingman, AZ
Nov 27 Las Vegas, NV
For more information on Amanda’s story and Michael’s mission, please
check out some of these links:
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