AmyFreeze's Blog

The summer solstice happens Thursday just before 7 p.m.  I'll be celebrating it pretty much the same way I've done for the last 9 years... in Denver, Colorado in City Park....

Every year, at sundown on the summer solstice about a thousand runners gather to run 3 miles.  It's a race to raise awareness about Melanoma.   My friend Bruce Fierst lost his fiance Kristen Michelle O'Conner to melanoma.  She was very young and full of life when the cruel disease struck....  Melanoma is the #1 cancer in women ages 25 to 29 in the U.S.   It's a startling statistics in a country where sun-worshiping is all too familar! 

This year the race has a different meaning as the disease has hit close to home.  My friend Dina Bair at WGN continues her battle with Melanoma.  And recently, my father in law has been diagnosed with melanoma and he is about to have surgery to remove cancerous skin.   

When Bruce asked me to join his cause, we were living in Denver... where the sun in closer and shines more often!   (Bruce is from Chicago but has lived his adult life in Denver... now here I am in his hometown! )   I'll admit there was hesititation at first when he asked me to join his cause... while it makes sense to have a meteorologist talk about the danger of sun, etc...... you see... that first year of the race... and several since, the race has landed on my birthday!!   But I have found over the years, there's no better way to party than being with friends and being fit!  (plus he always gets a cake and the whole crowd sings!!!)  

I've also learned how to look for skin problems...  it's a quick and easy reminder of what to watch out for on your skin:

Early signs of melanoma include ABCDEs: asymmetry of lesion; border irregularity, bleeding, or crusting; color change; diameter over 6 mm or growing lesion; elevated area in a previously flat area. melanomafoundation.org

Make sure to ask your dermatologist about melanoma prevention and the best ways to protect yourself from harmful rays from the sun.

 To find out more I suggest the Miles for Melanoma fundriasers like Bruce's race and Kristen's foundation... you can mail donations to KMO Foundation at 205 North Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60302  of Curt Shilling's foundation which can be found here!

I'll have some pictures of the race --- when I get back!