3rd Annual Northwest Melanoma Walk and Fun Run, May 31

This May, AIM at Melanoma (with help from yours truly!) will be hosting the 3rd Annual AIM for a CURE Northwest Melanoma Walk and Fun Run in Portland, Oregon. New for 2014, all net proceeds will benefit the Melanoma Research Program at Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute and Department of Dermatology. Specifically, the event will raise funds for Portland's first Melanoma Tissue Bank, widely believed by the oncology community to be a key to major breakthroughs in melanoma research.

Northwest Melanoma Walk and Fun Run
Saturday, May 31, 2014 from 8:30 to 12 p.m. 

Wallace Park, NW 25th Ave. & Raleigh Street, Portland, OR 

 Register at: http://bit.ly/melanomawalk14 
Follow us on Facebook for news and updates

The event is free and will include a health fair, hosted by OHSU's Let's Get Healthy, where the whole family can learn about sun safety, how to detect suspicious spots on the skin, as well as how to participate in life-saving research.

Questions? Contact melanomapdx@gmail.com. Not local? Find an event in your area.

Check your mate this Valentine's Day

I love a slightly provocative public health campaign. Something that catches my attention, but also helps me remember to take care of myself. These clever "Check Your Mate" e-cards from the Prevent Cancer Foundation do just that--and are available in time for v-day.

 

Here's what their website says: "Whether in bed, in the shower or anywhere you might find yourselves in the nude with your partner, take a few minutes to look for abnormal changes in your partner’s skin. The ABCDE rule is a quick and easy way to remember red flags for suspicious moles.

A word of caution: It would probably be awkward to do this on a first, second or third date. But if you're cuddling up with your hubby or live-in significant other, keep your eyes peeled. Moles or freckles that look abnormal or are changing are worth having looked at by a dermatologist. Skin cancer? Not sexy.

Visit checkyourm8.org to send an e-card or share via social media.

Miley Cyrus strips down to promote skin cancer awareness

In case you missed it, Miley Cyrus is running around naked again, but this time for a worthy cause: melanoma research. Miley is the newest face of Marc Jacob's "Protect the skin you're in" campaign, which benefits the NYU Skin Cancer Institute. While I probably won't be rushing out to buy a Miley shirt any time soon, I love these tees, and there are plenty of other celebs to choose from (Heidi Klum, Victoria Beckham, and Naomi Campbell just to name a few).

What do you think of these shirts? Would you wear one?

I made the "Top 10 Skin Cancer Bloggers" list!

Last week I was contacted by the folks at ShareCare.com, an interactive social media site that connects experts and patients on issues related to health and wellness. I showed up on their radar as someone who is sparking conversations about skin cancer online. They've included me in this month's "Top 10" list, which includes two fellow melanoma awareness advocates that I highly respect and admire--Chelsea Price and Susan Hayes. To be frank, I don't know how the heck I made it onto the same list as these superstars, but I feel very flattered and thankful for the opportunity to keep spreading my message. Apparently someone is listening! :)

Read the full press release and check out all the other awesome blogs that made the cut.

Read my skin cancer story in U.S. News

Happy first day of summer! Before you head outside to get your tan on, read about my experience with melanoma in this article that was published in U.S. News earlier today.

Thank you so much to Donna Regen a.k.a. Melanoma Mama for sharing this article on my Facebook page! I did the interview months ago and I had almost forgotten about it. As always, I'm happy to be sharing my experience in hopes that it will prevent one more person from being diagnosed with this very deadly type of skin cancer.

Peace, love & sunscreen.

Five things I'm loving this week

1. Shirtless Men
Simultaneously learn about UV radiation and sun protection, while undressing male athletes with your mouse at SunBlunders.com. Fun and educational. Thank you, Skin Cancer Foundation.

2. Farmers markets
During the summer, a giant farmers market pops up outside my office every Tuesday afternoon. I found these raspberries there this week, along with some other fresh produce. Raspberries = antioxidants, which are amazing for your skin.

3. Snapchat
I thought this photo sharing app was just for kids. I was very wrong. My friends and I have been using this app obsessively over the past two weeks. Loud-out-loud worthy.

4. Push ups
I don't know that I *love* pushups, but I've started doing them again at night before I go to bed so that my boyfriend stops making fun of my puny arms! So far, so good. My shoulders are a bit sore, but I love that pushups give you such a good workout without having to use weights or go to the gym.

5. Hangin' with my dude
Tim's out of town this week (sad!), but luckily I'm headed to the beach this weekend for a girlfriend's bachelorette/shower. This photo was taken last Thursday at Portland's Rose Festival carnival. The third item in the photo is a delicious cup of beer from Rogue, which just so happens to be one of my fave microbreweries in Oregon. If you ever visit Portland, you must try it. You won't be disappointed.

2nd Annual Portland Melanoma Walk raises over $39k

© Skipping Stone Photography

I finally got the pictures from our event and found out that our final fundraising total from the 2013 Portland Melanoma Walk was $39,492. Holy moly.

When I agreed to coordinate the walk last September, I was crossing my fingers that we'd get over $20k. My jaw was literally on the floor as we quickly surpassed the 25 mark, the 30 mark, and then the 35 mark on the day of the walk. One of the individuals who drove down to participate from Seattle brought in an astonishing $8,000!

I know this may seem like small potatoes to anyone who works in development professionally, but our event is small. It's entirely volunteer-run, with a very small budget. I'm so proud of our event, and very thankful for everyone who helped make the walk happen. There's no way I could have pulled this off on my own.

© Skipping Stone Photography

© Skipping Stone Photography

© Skipping Stone Photography

© Skipping Stone Photography

© Skipping Stone Photography

© Skipping Stone Photography

© Skipping Stone Photography

Happy "Don't Fry Day"

On Monday, it was 60-some degrees. On Tuesday, I wore sandals to work, *thinking* that things would stay relatively the same, but by lunchtime, it was monsooning. By the time I left work, I was freezing, so I played the pity card and asked my boyfriend to come pick me up. This week sure doesn't feel like spring, but since I know summer is coming, I encourage you to observe national "Don't Fry Day."

The purpose of Don't Fry Day is simple: to remind folks to protect their skin when they're spending time outdoors. According to the American Cancer Society, one person dies from skin cancer every hour. Sunscreen, of course, is helping in preventing UV damage--but there's more to sun safety than just stocking up on SPF. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention provides the following tips:

• Do not purposefully try to burn or tan
• Seek shade when possible
• Wear sun-protective clothing (try Coolibar)
• Generously apply sunscreen
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand
• Get Vitamin D from a bottle, not a bed

Portland Melanoma Walk is two weeks away!

After months of planning, it's hard to believe that the 2013 Portland Melanoma Walk is only two weeks away! If you're a regular reader, please consider making a donation on my personal fundraising page. I hope to see some of you on May 11th!

GIVEAWAY: Support melanoma awareness + Win a Fitbit prize package!

Win $200 worth of awesome gadgets from AT&T. The Fitbit is so cute and tiny!

I am thrilled to announce my first ever Pretty in Pale giveaway, courtesy of AT&T. I've really wanted to try one of these devices, so I'm super jealous that one you is going to win a Fitbit ZIP Wireless Activity Tracker (MSRP $60), plus a Fitbit Aria WiFi Smart Scale (MSRP $130). Both make it easy to track your physical activity by networking wirelessly with your computer or smartphone.

Fitbit ZIP Wireless Activity Tracker (more info)

• Tracks steps, distance, and calories burned
• Syncs automatically to your computer or select Bluetooth 4.0 smartphones or tablets
• Set goals, view progress, and earn badges
• Free iPhone and Android App

Fitbit Aria WiFi Smart Scale (more info)

• Automatically taps into your home wireless network every time you weigh in to save your info to Fitbit.com
• Track your weight with easy-to-read graphs
• Measure body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage

There are several ways to be entered to win, including registering for the Portland Melanoma Walk. Enter below using your Facebook account or email address. Contest ends Friday, April 19, 2013. Be sure to leave a comment letting me know why you deserve to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Fine Print: Prizes for this giveaway were provided to Pretty in Pale from AT&T. No purchase necessary to win. U.S. residents only, please. Void where prohibited.

A tribute to Ashley Trenner (1972-2013)

Ashley Trenner celebrating her 40th birthday.

Blogging about melanoma and raising awareness for skin cancer in my community has its perks. I've met some of the most inspiring people I know, and most recently, I had the opportunity to testify in front of the Oregon State legislature. But there's a downside to raising awareness about a disease that kills 1 in 8 people who receive its diagnosis: melanoma kills people I care about.

After testifying in Salem, I heard about Ashley Trenner on the local news. Ashley was a stage IV melanoma patient whose final wish was to inform people about the dangers of UV exposure. I was touched by Ashley's story. I could totally relate--I used to love tanning beds, too, until I was diagnosed with melanoma in 2010. I reached out to her mother, Karen, to ask permission to share Ashley's story at the Portland Melanoma Walk this May.

Ashley at hospice. Melanoma is so much more
than just skin cancer.

I was deeply saddened when I learned about Ashley's passing on Friday, March 15. While I never had the opportunity to meet Ashley personally, my heart goes out to all her friends and family.

I encourage you to read and share Ashley's warning about melanoma, which is posted on her friend Tracie's blog. Here's a quick excerpt:

"I want to help people to be knowledgeable about Melanoma. It’s a cancer that’s not taken seriously. The majority of people say, 'Oh, it's just skin cancer, your lucky.' If not detected early skin cancer is deadly. It’s so important to get regular skin checkups by a dermatologist. Also don’t procrastinate if you see something suspicious. I didn't listen when I was warned about the dangers of tanning beds and not using sunscreen. I can't take back my poor decisions but I HOPE to help others make better decisions about not using tanning beds."

Read more.

One year and 96 blog posts later

Last February, I did something completely outside of my comfort zone. I updated my twitter profile, bought a new domain name, and embarked on the daunting new adventure of educating the world about melanoma. I had spent months reading scientific journals about skin cancer and public health campaigns to prevent it, but I wasn't ready to talk about something so personal on such a public forum.

When I hit publish on my first post and posted a link to it on Facebook, I shivered at the thought of my friends reading it. But I fought all urges that told me DELETE DELETE DELETE. I kept it up and posted another one. And another.

I befriended a few other melanoma bloggers, including Chelsea, Carol, Rich, and Al. We all have very different stories to share, but their courage and passion for promoting awareness was (and continues to be) very inspiring.

Over the weekend, I spent some time looking over everything I've written since last February. As I transition into year two, I plan to continue trying new things that push me outside my comfort zone (like organizing the PDX Melanoma Walk this spring!) and hope to continue provoking discussion about skin cancer in young people.

Thank you to everyone who has been following me along the way!

Hey girl, hey

You hear that? That's the sound of one gorgeous male celebrity telling you to strip down and do your monthly skin cancer exam. If Ryan Gosling doesn't suit your fancy, here's another reason why you should become more familiar with your skin.

I found my melanoma.

Over the years, especially if you're using tanning beds or spending a lot of time in the sun, you can (and probably will) develop new moles, freckles, and sun spots. One of the signs a mole is potentially malignant is if it's changing shape or evolving. My cancerous mole appeared out of nowhere at some point when I was in college - I wasn't paying too much attention.

Eventually, I realized that having a mole appear out of nowhere could potentially be dangerous, so I went and got a skin exam at the dermatologist. Turns out, I made a very, very smart decision.

I'm not the only one who found my melanoma. Several other people I've met both online and in the "real world" have been the ones to notice something was abnormal, or changing and they made the life-saving decision to go see a doc.

So make a point of taking a careful look at your skin each month. I usually do it right before or after a shower. The American Academy of Dermatology provides some guidelines on doing a self-exam, but the most important advice I can give is know your own body. Abnormal to you may not be abnormal to someone else. Visit a dermatologist if you're unsure. Melanoma is scary, but it's much easier to treat if you catch it early.

LOVE YOUR SKIN

A Link Up to Raise Awareness for Skin Cancer  

With Erin from Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink

1. What's your daily skincare routine?

I'm always trying something new, but there are a few products I that have stuck around. Every morning and night I wash my face with Philosophy's Purity Made Simple and my Clarisonic Mia. At night I use a retinol cream (Philosophy's Help Me or Glow by Dr. Brandt), followed by a thick moisturizing cream (Philosophy Hope in a Jar for Dry Skin or Clinique Moisture Surge Intense) and a dab or Clinique's All About Eyes Rich. In the morning, I try to use a vitamin C serum (whatever sample I have on hand) and then I layer on an SPF moisturizer (right now I'm rotating between Origins A Perfect World SPF 25 and Lancome's Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30). I used to have super oily skin, but as I've gotten older, it's turned dry.

I used to think "what kind of a crazy person spends
$120 on a face brush?"and now I own one.

 
2. A skin product you could never live without?

I started using retinol cream about a year ago. It's billed as a miraculous anti-aging ingredient, but it keeps me from breaking out, too. So that and moisturizer. I can never have too many moisturizers or face lotions.

This stuff changed my life. It made my face peel like crazy
for about 3-4 weeks and then it was like boom: clear skin.

 

3. Have you ever used a tanning bed?

Yup! I started when I was 16 and tanned indoors until I was 21. Looking back, though, I'm pretty sure I never looked "tan." Just burnt.

 

The summer I lived in NYC (2007).

4. Thoughts on spray tanning?

I always tell people that spray tanning is like a nicotine patch for UV tanning. It's a healthier alternative, but I wish people didn't feel like it was necessary. Even after I was diagnosed with melanoma, I still spray tanned for a while. I haven't done it in over a year. Trying to be both UV and spray tan free! :)

Spray-tanned my way to Vegas.

5. Favorite brand of sunscreen?

I'm obviously a huge fan of Philosophy, but when I'm out on the river with friends, I usually just bring along a tube of Banana Boat. Gets the job done and I won't cry if I lose it. 

 

6. Biggest skincare splurge?

I started getting facials recently. It's pretty much one of the most relaxing things. Ever.

7. Celebrity with the most perfect skin?

I have skin envy of Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, and Ashley Greene.

 

8. Feature you're most self-conscious about?

I'm not too crazy about the bump on my nose. I was also born with a hole in my right eyebrow. I won't leave my house without penciling it in.

9. What do you think about botox?

I hate needles. Period. I don't think you'll ever see me on Real Housewives. DARN!

 

10. I feel most confident when...

I'm well rested, my nails are freshly painted, and my hair is blown out. It also helps to have on a great pair of heels :)

OK, now it's your turn! Answer these ten questions on your blog, and then leave your link below. If you haven't already, be sure to check out my story.

Bloggers: Join the LOVE YOUR SKIN link up!

Erin from Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink cracks me up. I love reading her posts, which range from "Things That Irk [Her] Tator" to "The Golden and God Awful." I'm thrilled to be collaborating with her on my first link up, which combines my obsession with skincare products with my passion for raising awareness about melanoma (the most deadly type of skin cancer and the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women aged 25-29). So whether you're an avid tanner or an SPF junkie, I encourage you to answer the following questions on your blog this week. And be honest. No judging - I promise.

LOVE YOUR SKIN LINK UP

1. What's your daily skincare routine?
2. A skin product you could never live without?
3. Have you ever used a tanning bed?
4. Thoughts on spray tanning?
5. Favorite brand of sunscreen?
6. Biggest skincare splurge?
7. Celebrity with the most perfect skin?
8. Feature you're most self-conscious about?
9. What do you think about botox?
10. I feel most confident when...

Once you've answered these questions (feel free to get creative - use pictures, whatever!), head over to Erin's blog where you can add your link to the list starting tomorrow. Can't wait to see everyone's posts! Check back here to see mine.

New year, new scar

As I mentioned earlier this week, I had a derm appointment on New Years Eve. Weird, I know, but it takes two months to get an appointment with my doctor, so I take what I can get. I've gotten several text messages and emails asking how things went, so here's the DL: one of the spots I was worried about looked suspicious to my doctor, too. They took a biopsy, and I should be hearing back within a week or two. Lucky me got to have stitches on NYE. Fun! (not)

I've had spots biopsied since my melanoma, but there was something eery about this appointment that gave me deja vu. The spot they biopsied was just this small, dark freckle that's popped up over the past year or so with slightly uneven pigmentation. It's not related to the old cancerous spot at all, but it's mere inches from my old scar. I think the proximity of it freaked me out a little bit. I mean, what are the chances that I get two primary melanomas right next to one another? Granted, I did burn that part of my body pretty bad back when I tanned, so maybe it's coming back to bite me in the ass. Who knows. Not going to worry about it for now.

My friend Melissa wrote a provocative blog post the other day in response to comments that were made on Facebook about stage I melanoma bloggers. As I've said before, I know I've never had to go through anything nearly as awful as my late-stage melanoma friends. But that doesn't mean I can't empathize with them and relate. One of the shitty things about skin cancer is once you've had it, you're exponentially more likely to get it again. Every time I go to the dermatologist for the rest of my life I get to worry: Is it back? Will it be worse this time? As Melissa said in her post: "We all know one loose cell and a stage 1 can become a stage 4 in a heartbeat." True statement.

No matter how you spin it and no matter how good or bad you have it, melanoma blows. I don't think any of us like writing about this stuff. Did you know I used to be a fashion & beauty blogger before all this? (OK, maybe you can tell by my sporadic product review posts.) But if we're not writing about it, then nothing is going to change. People are going to continue being diagnosed.

So fingers are crossed for good news. On a lighter note, I'm stoked for 2013. Lots of exciting things planned. Weddings, lots of travel, event planning madness, and more. Thank you to all my readers and friends for your continued love and support. I'm way behind on email, life, etc. so if I owe you an email, I promise I'll be in touch soon :)

Top Posts from 2012

Time to count down top 10 posts from 2012 like we're on a VH1 special (or Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve).

10. My story

9. Melanoma and mommyhood: Is it safe to tan when pregnant?

8. Does this look like a cancer patient to you?

7. Cancer can't be cute, right?

6. Ladies of the bachelor: Don't forget to wear your sunscreen

5. The man tan

4. My own "Dear 16-year-old Me"

3. Guilt trip

2. Irony on my newsfeed

And drum roll please (insert commercial break here)....

1. Spray tans might be bad for you now, too

 

Wishing you all a healthy, happy and safe New Year!

Turning negatives into positives

National Health Blog Post Month Day 29: Write about unexpected blessings of your health condition

I'd like to reiterate one of the points I made during yesterday's conversation with Anjannette: this blog is about so much more than melanoma. Unlike some of my fellow melanoma bloggers, I have been very lucky. I don't need to head to the doctor every three months for treatments, and I don't have to deal with the anxiety of frequent scans to make sure there's no evidence of the disease in my system. So that's not what you're going to find here. Even so, melanoma is frequently on my mind. I realize that what causes skin cancer varies widely from patient to patient, but for me, I strongly believe that using tanning beds in my teens is what gave me melanoma in my 20s. Consequently, I've become fascinated by why young people use tanning beds in the first place (even when they know they're dangerous), and more importantly, what we can do to stop it.

This a huge undertaking--far too big for little 'ole me to tackle on my own. But I have some pretty exciting projects in the works for 2013. I can't wait to share these with you! I would never with melanoma upon anyone, but I am grateful that this experience has lit a fire under me, so to speak. I think I have the potential to become a strong advocate for melanoma prevention and early detection both in my community and across the globe.

Who knows what life would have been like if it hadn't been for that dang little black mole. I'm just thankful that I've been able to twist such a negative experience into a positive one, and that I've found a cause I am truly, truly passionate about.

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This post was inspired by the Day 29 prompt for National Health Blog Post Month.
View posts by other participants.

Pin this!

National Health Blog Post Month Day 26: Make a chart / meme / poster and write about it 

I'm cheating on today's prompt a bit (shhh don't tell!) Instead of creating my own meme and writing about it, I wanted to share with you a collection of awesome skin cancer awareness memes that already exist. Melissa from Melanoma Sucks has assembled an awesome collection of images on her Melanoma Pinterest Board. These are a few of my favorites. Indulge your love for Pinterest while helping spread awareness for a good cause. Check out her board and re-pin!

 

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This post was inspired by the Day 26 prompt for National Health Blog Post Month.
View posts by other participants.

Me on UV Skinz

Don't miss my guest post on UV Skinz's blog today! Spoiler alert--you get to see this: #embarrassingphotosforagoodcause

Me at age 13.