This message is long over due to everyone.  I wanted to let you know that my wife and I both finished the Falmouth Road Race in August.  She was much faster than I as usual.  She finished in 70th place overall out of more than 5000 women runners.  Fantastic job.  The best thing about the race is that I was able with your efforts raise over $1600 for the Melanoma Foundation of New England! 

I want to thank you all for contributing as it means the world to Jill and I.

 I included my story again below.

 

Last year I had a very scary conversation with the person in my life who is the rock to our family, amazing mother, my best friend, and the one I am so lucky to call my wife Jill. She informed me that the biopsy on her mole came back positive for Melanoma. The only thing I knew about melanoma is that it was a form of skin cancer. My sister-in-law and Jill began educating myself and family on the severity, risks and history of melanoma. The best news in her situation was that it was Stage 1A and she would need to get it removed right away. Early detection saved her life. Today, she religiously protects her skin with a SPF when in the sun and goes every three months to her dermatologist to have a complete skin check done. We know that there is still a very high chance that another melanoma could be detected but early detection will lessen her chances and will save her life.

I tell Jill all of the time that the 3 inch scar on her face is much better than the alternative. It also reminds me every day how precious life can be. This is a women who cares about her health more than anyone that I know yet this still happened which was eye opening. It was a scary moment however as with many obstacles in life you learn valuable lessons from this experience. Not only does it make your relationship with the person you care about the most stronger. It also teaches you how you want to live your life make sure you show to your family how much you love them.

It's been 1 year since the melanoma was removed and we are so grateful to the doctors', and my sister in law Heather, for educating us. One of the biggest things that Jill and I always discuss is how can we create awareness about melanoma so people get more educated on this form of skin cancer. Understand steps that they can take to protect and reduce the chances of it happening to them. So, I thought to myself what better way to raise money for the cause and help support the Melanoma Foundation of New England. Thanks to my sister in-law Heather for introducing Jill and I to the great folks that are part of the organization. The best part of this is I am raising money by running the Falmouth Road Race. So not only do I get to raise money for a cause that means so much to my amazing wife, I get to do it by doing the activity that she loves to do the most! Please help support the Melanoma Foundation of New England, myself, and Jill by making a donation of any size. Thanks in advance for your contributions!