Running to Fund More Research and Awareness for Melanoma Skin Cancer

Dear Friends and Family:

I excited to share that I will be running the Chicago Marathon October 9th, 2022! I will be running to support the Jack H. Marston II Melanoma Fund. Their campaign is to fund research and provide awareness programs (early detection) of melanoma a very serious form of skin cancer.

A little back history of my running career. I am 25 years old (I will be 26 on the day of the Chicago marathon). I started running competitively when I was 12 years old with my mom and I have had a lot of success. I ran cross country and track and field in high school. I then ran competitively for Edgewood college in cross country , indoor/outdoor track and field. After graduation I began running marathons. I have run Grandma's Marathon (2019), Boston Marathon (2021) and now I will have run the Chicago Marathon. This will be my 3rd marathon and my 2nd world major marathon. My goal is to complete all 6 world major marathons.

I love to run, it is my happy place. It is where I know myself the best and I can't think of a better charity to raise money for then Jack H. Marston II Melanoma Fund. This charity is close to my heart as I have had melanoma skin cancer. When I was 16 years old my doctor found a spot on my right shoulder. After a biopsy it was confirmed that it was melanoma and I had to have it all removed. Then the day after my 20th birthday I had surgery to remove more melanoma on my chest, back and shoulder. I am blessed that I have the resources to a medical team that removes this skin cancer from my body before it spreads. I am a high risk for melanoma skin cancer and I go in for yearly skin checks. The charity that I am running for is fighting for a cure for melanoma and also raising awareness. A few facts about melanoma skin cancer are below:

• Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer. Although accounting for only 4% of total skin cancer cases, it is the leading cause of skin cancer related deaths.
• Melanoma is the second most common cancer for young adults ages 15-29.
• The risk of being diagnosed with melanoma doubles with five or more sunburns at any age, and exposure to tanning beds in youth increases that risk by 75%!
• The risk of developing melanoma is increasing, and most frighteningly, the cases of melanoma amongst young children are on the rise.

Since the risk of melanoma affects or has affected each and every one of us, the work that Jack’s Fund is doing to increase research funding and to develop awareness programs is so important!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

$30 = The rates of melanoma have been rising for the last 30 years.

$54 = One person dies every 54 minutes from melanoma.

$100.35 = 100,350 New cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the US in 2020 (ACS).

$250 = Free skin screening (average fee charged by dermatologist's offices for a skin screening).

$800 = Melanoma costs over $800 million to treat annually.

Check out my fundraising page and please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal of $1,750.

Giving online is easy and fast, and your support will make a real difference. I appreciate your help!

Piper Atnip