Fighting For Eric

Eric, my fellow melanoma warrior,(and month of April "The Faces of Melanoma" calendar buddy!), is trying to get enough money to travel to Maryland for treatment. He recently found out that his liver has numerous tumors that are inoperable. His wife is currently pregnant with a high risk pregnancy, and his mother is a dear friend of mine. Please donate if you can, any amount is appreciated. You can go to any Wells Fargo bank and make your donate to Fighting For Eric Martin. The account is under Heidi Hall, in Otis, Oregon.

For more info and updates, follow his page on Facebook, Fighting For Eric Martin.

Thank you :)

SU2C Patient Story: Hillary Quinn Kind

Here is Hillary's story that aired on Stand Up to Cancer earlier this week.  Her story is the story of so many melanoma warriors.  I love her smile and her bravery.  Thank you for sharing your personal battle with the world.  XOXO

Sponsor MELISSA COLLINS in AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walks

Sponsor MELISSA COLLINS in AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walks

Sponsor MELISSA COLLINS in AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walks

One of Our Own on Stand Up to Cancer~ SU2C!

I wasn't going to watch the SU2C show last night, because I didn't want to cry and be depressed about cancer after the crazy week at work that I had. My fiance had the TV on and I was surfing Pinterest, (my new obsession!), and it came on.  I didn't turn it, but I was half paying attention to it.  Then, I found myself drawn in.  I loved how it showed a few cancer warriors, and told their stories. On the screen the entire show, they would have a newsfeed scrolling on the bottom, with info about the type of cancer that was being showed.

The celebrities were great!  I loved Samuel L. Jackson, who referring to beating cancer, said, "Cancer is one big bully. But if we all stand up to cancer together, we can kick its ass so good, it'll never come back."

 
I also loved the little boy, Justin, who said,  "I don't even think about me passing away.  But if I do, I'm taking my Legos with me!"

There were cancer warriors sharing their stories, and there was Taylor Swift with her song "Ronan", about a 3-year-old Valley boy who died of cancer in 2011.  And of course Tim McGraw had to sing his amazing song, "Live Like You Were Dying", and make me cry more!  It was all very touching and emotional.

 I continued to watch, and was absolutely taken by surprise when a young, beautiful women appeared on the screen.  She was stunning.  I didn't realize at first, but then I heard that she is a melanoma warrior!  I was full of emotion about this!  Hillary Quinn Kind is a 25 year old women, who is battling the beast and is on national television telling her story!  There were the melanoma facts scrolling at the bottom of the screen as Hillary sat with her doctor and asked if she were to stop treatment, how long would she have left to live?  A year?  Her doctor told her that she did not believe she would even have a year.  She was beautiful with her bald head and mega watt smile.  There she was skydiving, something she had always wanted to do, as I bawled.  It was amazing!  I was floored when they said she is from Detroit, Michigan!  Right next door to me!  I was so proud of her and felt an instant connection like I do with fellow melanoma warriors. She told her story.  It is the story of so many of my friends.

Thank you Hillary, for sharing your story with the world, to raise awareness for our horrible cancer, and for funds for research.  Thank you for giving melanoma a voice.

 Her words from last night have stayed with me today...

 " I just keep going, keep fighting, and something great will come of it.”~ Hillary Quinn Kind