1st Annual Miles for Melanoma of Delaware Run / Walk to Benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation

Sunday, September 14, 2008   9:00 AM          Rockford Park, Wilmington, DE

We would like to invite you to participate in a very special event.
The family and friends of Michelle Rigney, Anna Marie Farro and Mary Ohara and those who want to find a cure for Melanoma have teamed up for the 1st annual Miles for Melanoma of Delaware fundraising event.  This walk was created to educate others about Melanoma prevention, how to detect the signs of Melanoma, and advocacy.  All money raised will benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation.  For more information on our event, please go to www.miles4melanomade.org.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts.  Many thanks for your support - and don't forget to forward this to anyone you think might want to donate!

Michelle Rigney was a twenty-two year old student at the University of Delaware. She was diagnosed at the age of nineteen with stage I melanoma. Sixteen months later doctors found the melanoma had spread to both lungs. After having a portion of one lung removed, she then found the melanoma had spread to her brain and other body locations.  Michelle underwent numerous treatments to stop the disease progression, but unfortunately with lack of research, her options were limited.  Michelle lost her battle on June 17, 2008 but her spirit lives on through our work to fight melanoma and find a cure.  We love you and miss you, Michelle!

Anna Marie Farro is a forty year old mother of three from Middletown, Delaware. She was diagnosed with stage III melanoma in late summer of 2006. She has undergone many surgeries and has just completed a year long chemo treatment that required three injections of Interferon a week. Although Interferon may seem “easy” for this type of cancer, it is an extremely toxic and debilitating drug.

Mary Ohara is a 7+ year survivor of Stage III Melanoma.  After multiple surgeries, Mary was prepared to join a clinical trial on a new vaccine when a CT scan also showed Mary to have a tumor on her kidney - turning out to be Renal Cell Carcinoma.  With two simultaneous primary cancers, Mary's case is considered to be "astronomically rare".  Mary had the second cancer and her kidney removed and then endured a year long program of Interferon treatment.  To date, regular checks have shown Mary to be cancer free.