Hey Everyone!

I am running 2012 Teb's Troops Melanoma 5K to help raise money going to the Melanoma Research Foundation.  So yes, I am hitting you up for money right now.  I would like to say that I have never in my adult life asked my friends and family to donate to anything before, so I am obviously very passionate about this cause.  Let me tell you why.

I am running in memory of my good friend Brian Hays, who lost his fight with melanoma 10 years ago today (06/09/2002).  It is unfortunate that many of you never got a chance to meet Brian.  He had one of the most positive attitudes of anyone I have ever met, even faced with the greatest of adversities.  Brian's energy was so contiguous that you couldn't help but have fun hanging out with him.  Many of you know I left the sales world behind to pursue a career in health care with the goal to one day work in cancer treatment.  Brian is not only my inspiration for this but my strength when my crazy schedule sometimes gets the best of me.  I owe Brian so much and it is my privilege to run in his honor.

I would also like to give a quick shout out to my wonderful employer, Rush University Medical Center, who has offered to match my donation total with their own donation to the Melanoma Research Foundation.  It is one of so many reasons I love being a part of the Rush family.

The way I see it, all of you are awesome and cancer sucks so lets fight it together.  Please only donate what you can spare.  With that I will leave you with the words Brian told me the night I found out about him having cancer.  I hope you get a fraction of what I got out of them.

Sincerely,

Kevin Lynch

"The only thing that has changed these last few days (since I was diagnosed with melanoma) is that I may have a few less days on this planet than I thought I would.  I don't want anyone to be sad for me.  Lynch Mob, you need to promise me that when we hang out we are going to have fun and that we will laugh.  I want to enjoy everyday as much as I ever have.  That's how I want to live.  Hell, that's how everyone should want to live."  Brian Hays