I am participating in the 15th Annual Block Melanoma event at the Milwaukee County Zoo sponsored by Ann’s Hope Foundation. The organization raises funds for melanoma research and education. Chris and I are excited for this event in honor and memory of Wendy Leittl-Sprague, my mom. She was diagnosed with stage III metastatic melanoma in 2004, went through a long battle, which she sadly succumbed to on August 31, 2008 at the age of 48. I am very proud of her courage through the tough times and wish she was still with us.  Although there are now some great treatments available for late stage melanomas, we are far from being able to treat all cases and more research is needed. 

Did you know that each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon? Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. The incidence of melanoma, the most deadly of all skin cancers has had a 2000% increase in melanoma incidences since 1930 with 1 in 50 being affected, and it is the most common cancer killer of young women, more common than breast cancer in ages 29-34.

At this time there is no cure for late stage melanoma. Ann’s Hope Foundation has awarded over $1.3 million in grants locally to researchers seeking to find treatments and a cure for the disease. This event is their largest fundraiser and the largest melanoma event in the state. I am hoping you will consider sponsoring me in this event by donating on my behalf. This tax-deductible donation will go towards ground-breaking research. Thank you for considering and for helping to make a difference. Remember, melanoma does not discriminate, it can effect any age, gender, and race.

We all thank you.