Tuesday, March 11, 2014

I'm Tired. I Advocate. I Stand. Together....

I don’t know how this stuff happens, but it does. As I prepare for my day, God puts things in my head. My heart begins to race, my hands start to shake. I’m brought to a place that can’t be ignored. He won’t let it go.

Seriously, I’ve learned to listen.  

As I read though some of the posts on face book this morning, I discover that two more people have died from this disease. And this is just from people I’ve been in contact with though the melanoma community. One person dies in the US from melanoma every hour. Every hour! And lives are changed forever. Melanoma not only effects the person holding the cancer card, it effects those around them too. Their family, their friends. The caregivers. From that first heart stopping phone call forward, life switches gears abruptly for the rest of their lives. 

I am currently working on a billboard targeted toward young people that use tanning beds in preparation for spring break and prom. The nagging thought today was that I need to do a billboard that focuses on caregivers. People that didn’t know the dangers of tanning before their loved ones were diagnosed. People that know now, but wish they would have known before that dreaded call.

These billboards cost money. I have been funding these billboards with the jewelry I was making. With everything that has happened in the last year, I have taken a break from making anything. I’m currently in the process of finding a new home, and I’ll be moving in April. Something had to give. So…I am asking for help. If you think this is a good idea for a billboard, please donate. There is a “donate” button on this blog page, and every dollar helps. If you would like to show the world that melanoma touches everyone involved, please send your photo to jemsforjilly@gmail.com


 Melanoma Awareness

We Know Now. Do YOU?


Thank you melanoma warriors. Thank you caregivers. Thank you family and friends. We WILL make a difference.

Peace~

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your story and for giving the Melanoma warriors a voice and I really appreciate you giving us caregivers a voice too. I lost my husband Mike in 2011 to Melanoma after a very long battle. We have 3 kids and were 3, 6 & 8 when their dad died. I will gladly support your cause and if you need photos or stories to share ever please let me know - we share our story to save others, we know that is what Mike would have wanted.

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    1. Lyn,
      I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My heart and prayers go out to you and those precious children. Yes, please send me a photo of you, Mikes caregiver. You can email me at jemsforjilly@gmail.com
      Thank you!

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  2. Susan- I am trying to get a no-tanning pledge going in the high school where I teach. We want to kick it off soon, in time for before-Prom. I am so surprised by some of the responses I get from both teens and adults. People just don't think it's going to happen to them. Of course, my husband reminds me, I didn't think it would happen to me, either. But now I know, and knowing makes such a difference. I am happy to help you in any way, I will gladly donate to your billboard cause.
    What you are doing is amazing. Take care

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    1. Now we know. Hopefully we will be able to educate others before they end up living with this beast for the rest of their lives. Thank you so very much for your willingness to donate!
      Hugs to you my friend!

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  3. Susan, thank you for all you've been doing...while battling your own melanoma. I've just been diagnosed with a recurrence of what I'd thought was 'taken care of' 5 yrs. ago when I had surgery for a mole that went bad. Way too many sunburns as a kid...who knew?! Now it's Stage IIIC, and I am trying to tell any and everyone I know, melanoma is a seriously deadly cancer. I will most definitely donate and want to see those billboards up. Why the American Cancer Society or someone else isn't making this abundantly clear in public broadcasts, I don't understand.....so THANK YOU for what you're doing!
    Take care Susan. Wishing you the very best possible outcome.
    Shawne in CO, where the sun's rays are even closer than at sea level.....

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    1. Thank you for your supportive comment! I will hold you in my prayers for great success in any treatment you may be going through. And thank you too, for your willingness to donate!
      Hugs,
      Susan

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  5. I tanned for years and when my kids were young before beach season. Had no idea! John never tanned but grew up on the beach - no sunscreen ever... Since December of 2011 with his diagnosis, our lives have been changed forever. Would love to donate and get his/our picture on there.

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    1. I wish we had known, Carmen! Sending prayers to you, John and the family. You can donate here on the blog, and send photo's to jemsforjilly@gmail.com

      Thank you!

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  6. My journey began last summer. Had my second chemo yesterday. May be starting immune therapy. Lots of strange things about my melanoma, but God knows what He is doing. Grateful for each day.

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    1. Good luck with your treatments! I will be sending prayers. Stay strong!

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