When you're living with melanoma, it can be helpful to share your story with other families that are going through a similar experience. And it can be inspirational to know you're not alone.

We want this page to become a source of comfort for melanoma patients and their families. If you would like to share your story, we'll post it on this page so others can draw inspiration from it. Please e-mail your story to stories@foundationformelanomaresearch.org.

Beginning with the story of FMR founder Noreen O'Neill, here are the stories we've received so far.

NOREEN O'NEILL

It is because of Noreen O'Neill that the Foundation for Melanoma Research exists. After being diagnosed with malignant melanoma, she looked to volunteer with organizations dedicated to advancing treatments for melanoma patients. Finding none, she decided to build one herself.

Read Noreen's Story

RICH BESTON

Rich Beston and his Wife, Ann, were happily enjoying their eight month old son, Ryan 10/99. He brought much joy to their lives. One day Rich noticed a bump on his shoulder. He thought it was just another boil, a guy thing, in his words. A few months went by and he and his Wife learned they were expecting another baby. Not much later than that, he wound up at the doctor's for a minor issue. It was then he showed that "bump" to the Doctor. He was instructed to immediately go to the Dermatologist's office for a needle biopsy. A few days later he got the phone call. "Melanoma."

Read Rich Beston's Story

JOAN Z. BLEW

Emily Blew wrote the following letter to accompany donations to the foundation in memory of Joan Z. Blew, her grandmother. Emily is 14, and on her last birthday, she requested her friends to make a donation to FMR instead of giving her a present. She has made similar requests in previous years, such as donating to a local pet shelter. Her parents write, "Emily decided to do this on her own and we are very proud of her." We're proud to know her too.

Read Joan Blew's Story

LISA BAGOSY

It has been over a year now since I was diagnosed with stage III malignant melanoma and since then always wanted to share my story...

Read Lisa Bagosy's Story

	EVENTS
	2nd Annual Running For Cover Join us for a fun and fulfilling morning at the Wachovia Complex on June 24, 2007 for the 2nd Annual Foundation for Melanoma Research Running for Cover Run/Walk.
	Clark Lecture March 2002-2006 The foundation supports the annual Clark Lecture and melanoma symposium.

	NEWS

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