This May I'm participating in the American Cancer Society Virtual Challenge Write 30 Minutes a Day in May. Fundraising is done on Facebook so, if you have a Facebook account, please head over to my fundraising page and support my efforts! Or sign up for this challenge. Every dollar counts. If you'd like to donate, but don't have Facebook (or you don't want to donate through that site), here are some other ways to donate. (Just follow the hyperlinks.)
I'm participating in this challenge in honor of all my friends and family who have cancer, all of those who fought their battles and won, and all of those who lost. I'd intended to list everyone and their associated cancers, but as I started to list them, I realized the list was too long. Too many people. Too many cancers. It was a harsh reminder of how important support is for the families, for research, and for the American Cancer Society and for organizations like it.
American Cancer Society has a toll free number, available 24 hrs. a day - 7 days a week, to answer questions and provide resources to those recently diagnosed, to those receiving treatment, to caregivers, and to loved ones. They might be able to help with rides to appointments and lodging for treatments, among other things. The number for anyone who may need it is: 1-800-227-2345.
May is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month / National Melanoma Month, and the 1st of May happens to be called Melanoma Monday, as a way of generating awareness about melanoma. The American Cancer Society estimates about 98,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma, and almost 8,000 people are expected to die from it.
What are some of the risk factors? (this is not a full list - see this link for more risk factors: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html)
- Exposure to UV light, from sunlight or from tanning beds
- Moles, Fair Skin, Freckling
- Family History of Melanoma or a Personal History of Skin Cancers
What are some things you can do?
- Wear sunscreen. Avoid tanning beds. Cover up with wide brimmed hats in the sunshine and seek shade whenever possible.
- Check your skin regularly so you can notice any changes in existing moles or spot any abnormal growths.
- See your doctor or a dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns.
#MelanomaMonday #cancerawareness #30minutesadayinMay #AmericanCancerSociety #virtualchallenge