Michelle Rigney

Michelle Rigney was a twenty-two year old student at the University of Delaware. She was diagnosed at the age of nineteen with stage I melanoma. Sixteen months later doctors found the melanoma had spread to both lungs. After having a portion of one lung removed, she then found the melanoma had spread to her brain and other body locations. Michelle underwent numerous treatments to stop the disease progression, but unfortunately with lack of research, her options were limited. Michelle lost her battle on June 17, 2008 but her spirit lives on through our work to fight melanoma and find a cure. We love you and miss you, Michelle!

Anna Marie Farro

Anna Marie Farro is a forty year old mother of three from Middletown, Delaware. She was diagnosed with stage III melanoma in late summer of 2006. She has undergone many surgeries and has just completed a year long chemo treatment that requires three injections of Interferon a week. Although Interferon may seem “easy” for this type of cancer, it is an extremely toxic and debilitating drug. Anna is currently recovering from her Interferon treatment, and recently had surgery to remove other skin cancers, both squamous and basal cell varieties.

Mary Ohara is a 7+ year survivor of Stage III Melanoma. After multiple surgeries, Mary was prepared to join a clinical trial on a new vaccine when a CT scan also showed Mary to have a tumor on her kidney - turning out to be Renal Cell Carcinoma. With two simultaneous primary cancers, Mary's case is considered to be "astronomically rare". Mary had the second cancer and her kidney removed and then endured a year long program of Interferon treatment. To date, regular checks have shown Mary to be cancer free.

Donna Smith

Donna Smith was diagnosed with Stage I Melanoma at age 30. A mole she had since birth had changed, turning dark and growing in size. After surgery she was cancer free for 14 years, until a mole on her left shoulder started to itch uncontrollably. Although this mole was small and normal colored, Donna had the mole tested and again got a diagnosis of Melanoma. After surgey, all lab reports were clear and no lymph node analysis was done. However, this cancer does not play fair and had already spread. Eighteen months later Donna discovered a large lump under her left arm. She had immediate surgery to remove the entire lymph system, finding seven nodes positive for Melanoma. Fortunately, no spread to organs was discovered. Donna, now Stage III, then participated in an immunotherapy based clinical trial at the University of Penn. At 47 today, she remains cancer free.

Pam Kitchengs

Pam Kitchengs, 42, is a mother of three diagnosed with Stage II melanoma 8 years ago. After multiple surgeries, Pam was was considered cancer free, but just before her five year anniversary, another Stage II melanoma was found. More surgeries followed and Pam was again given the all clear. Since then, Pam discovered a large tumor and had 7 more questionable lesions removed. All were benign. Pam has recently been diagnosed with FAMM, Familiar Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma, a genetic syndrome that has specific characteristics and usually has a high risk for multiple malignancies. This September she will be entering into a special Melanoma Clinical Trial with The Johns Hopkins Melanoma Clinic for FAMM patients. With diligence and her doctors' care, Pam continues her fight to remain cancer free.

Marvin Peasley

Marvin L. Peasley, 57, is a father of three originally from Camden, Maine. In 1996 Marvin, a self employed electrician, relocated to Charlotte, NC to continue his successful electrical business. In October 2007, he went to a dermatologist after discovering a golf ball size mass in his left armpit. The mass was Melanoma, and he was diagnosed as Stage III. Excision of nearby lymph nodes revealed that three out of the four removed were malignant. Marvin immediately began Interferon treatment daily for one month and then self injections three times a week. During his treatment another scan discovered that the melanoma had metastasized to his liver. Marvin, now Stage IV, relocated to DE to live with his daughter and is now on a four-drug regimen of dacarbazine, cisplatin, carmustine, and tamaxifen (Dartmouth Regime) receiving this treatment three days every three weeks.