The cure for melanoma begins with US. Stay shady!

Laney's Story: 

On December 24, 2024, I was diagnosed with cancer- stage IIIC melanoma. I was 28 years old. 

What started as a mole on my thigh spread to 3 of my lymph nodes. While the mole wasn't initially alarming, the lump I felt in my pelvis was. I knew something was wrong, and I thank the Universe every day that I listened to my body- because I was right. My worst fears were realized. 

While sharing my story in a public way is scary, I have found strength and hope in using my voice for advocacy. Melanoma affects 1 in 5 people before age 70. At 29 years old, I was not naive enough to think I would never get cancer, but I was naive enough to think it wasn't something I needed to worry about until I was much older. I have never once used a tanning bed, I am really good about remembering my sunscreen, and as my dear friend and Melahomie Mary said, we work in theatre- we spend a lot of time in the dark. 

And here I am. 

Through it all, I am filled with gratitude for my village for keeping me going and smiling. To my parents who dropped everything and came running when I was in distress. To my incomparably supportive partner, Ella, who buckled in. My sister, my biological built-in best friend for keeping me laughing. To my job, my boss, my staff for understanding, flexibility, and warmth. My Melahomies for getting it. For sharing their thoughts and experiences and being so much more than "cancer friends." You will never know how bad I needed you when you found me. To my friends and family for every single check-in, text, call, FaceTime, and letter. Thank you for picking up my pieces. 

Above all, I am ​grateful to modern medicine, SCIENCE, my doctors and nurses, my technicians and PAs. The cancer treatment regimen that has been saving my life (immunotherapy) was once a clinical trial and only about 10 years ago was approved to save the lives of the millions of people affected by melanoma. 

I am grateful to organizations like the Melanoma Research Foundation who work tirelessly to provide melanoma warriors with care and resources while supporting clinical trials and life-saving research. 

While you'll never catch me saying I am grateful for cancer, I am grateful for all I have learned, like that I am tough, RESILIENT, powerful. That at the end of the day, community is all we have. That you are never too old to need your mom. How to be a fighter. Just how loved I am. The importance of hope and never giving up. What is really, actually important in this one life we are given. And, of course, the importance of self-advocacy, skin checks, and sunscreen. 

On July 20, 5 weeks out of my lymph node dissection surgery, I am DETERMINED to walk all 3.1 miles of the MRF's Miles for Melanoma 5K- no matter how long it takes. I have been training for my longest consecutive walk since surgery and refuse to let melanoma win. I may have cancer, but cancer does NOT have me. As my mom has continued to remind me, WE DO NOT LOSE. So let's do the damn thing!

Please join me in supporting the Melanoma Research Foundation! And thank you for reading. :) 

-LMH