This year's event was again a tremendous success! With over 600 people in attendance, 525 participants and 75 volunteers, we raised over $35,000 for melanoma research. Thank you to everyone who played a part in this event's success!

Please mark your calendars for next year's event (the 4th annual) which will take place on Saturday, June 19, 2010 (it's always Father's Day Saturday). We hope you can  join us once again as we raise awareness for melanoma and also fundraise for critical research programs through the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Our Story - In Memory of Aaron Anchor

In 1987, our dad, Aaron, went to the family physician to have a dark spot on the top of his head checked.  A diagnosis of melanoma was made and after surgery and skin grafting, he was told no further treatment was needed - he was tumor free. He started seeing either his doctor or a dermatologist every 3 months, and although his check-ups were continually clear, hardly a day went by without Aaron wondering if or when the melanoma would return.

In 2002, nearly 15 years after Aaron was diagnosed, our family's fears became reality.  While vacationing in Florida, he experienced shortness of breath and a rapid pulse.  Within a week, the diagnosis was Stage IV Melanoma, manifested by fluid around his lungs and heart.  No tumor or lesion was found but there were melanoma cells in the fluid that was removed.

Our family immediately scoured the internet and consulted with specialists, looking for treatment.  Again, we were told there was no treatment that would help because there was no tumor.  The prognosis was grim.  Still, we never gave up hope and all remained positive as Aaron's health started to return.  We continued to research and learn as much as we could about Melanoma.

Then, about 5 1/2 months later, on Father's Day weekend, tumors were found.  We learned that Aaron had extensive metastasis to his lungs and liver. At that time, chemotherapy was started but he just couldn't beat the 1 in 5 odds - no matter how positive we were or how much research we did.  Aaron died approximately 15 years after having a Melanoma removed and just 5 1/2 months after being diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma.

 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 entire family.  Losing Aaron inspired 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.

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.

Please join us, in our effort to raise money for the research of Melanoma in the hopes that we can someday find a cure.

-The Aaron Anchor Family