Block The Sun Run was founded in 2007, in an effort to raise research funds and awareness for melanoma. Please join us in our efforts at this year's 7th annual Block The Sun Run!

Our Story - In Memory of Aaron Anchor

Block The Sun Run was started in 2007 in memory of Aaron Anchor, a local Wisconsin Dells resident. Aaron died of metastatic melanoma in August 2002, 15 years after having Melanoma removed from his scalp. He had no returning tumor.

The return of Aaron’s melanoma after 15 years was shocking and devastating. Aaron's case was in no way a typical one.  It does, however, prove that Melanoma is both dangerous, quick-acting and unpredictable.  Until the diagnosis of Stage IV Melanoma, our dad was a healthy, active, 64-year-old man.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.  He is missed by so many every single day.

This entire experience has opened the eyes of our family, our friends and our entire community.  Losing Aaron inspired all of us to do something to increase awareness about Melanoma.  Not only is it an incredibly dangerous and unpredictable disease, but it affects an increasing number of young people and it continues to be somewhat of a mystery to the medical community.

One of the most deadly aspects of Melanoma is that so many people are diagnosed with advanced stages -lymph node involvement and even more – before they notice skin changes.  After all, Melanoma is not just skin cancer. Many people are shocked to hear that Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in women between ages 25-30 and further, even the second leading cause of cancer death in women between ages 30-35.

And so, our mission has become education and research.  We're making an effort to reach people of all ages, to let them know that Melanoma is not just about the dangers of the sun and skin cancer.  It encompasses so much more.

There is both hope and treatment if melanoma is found early, so please join in the cause as we fight to save other families from the fear, anxiety and devastating loss that this terrible disease creates.

For more on Aaron's story, click here>>