Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
DID YOU KNOW? There are 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers detected each year in the US. And, new cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the cause of more than 9,000 deaths each year.
Our Founder, Chris Swanner, tells his story
Some would say I had been through a rough patch. My wife had just died from a rare form of cancer and our adult sons and I were shattered.
As a self-imposed form of therapy, I began taking long walks with our dog, Maya. Soon we were walking 8, 10, even 15 miles at a time. Long walks can be good for the soul.
It was during this time of walking and sorting things out that I discovered I had skin cancer on the side of my head buried in my hair. That bad news was followed by more: I had stage 4 melanoma, which is usually fatal.
I was told to brace for the worst. But, as luck would have it, I was referred to Dr. Gregory Daniels, a head and neck cancer specialist at UCSD. He began his infusions of Opdivo, which seemed to be working. But then tumors began to appear in my body and a large one started on my neck in spite of the infusion treatments. UCSD to the rescue again with Dr. Ryan Orosco, a head & neck surgeon who was the only doctor willing to attempt surgery on my neck to remove the malignant growth. After surgery and reconstruction, I was given 6-8 months to live.
But, after the reconstructive surgeries and yet more infusions, I was declared cancer free. That was 4 years ago and I am happy to report I’m still cancer free and don’t take any medications.
Through this process I began to wonder how I can pay it forward for my good fortune. Then, on one of my 14-mile beach walks, it came to me… create an event that would introduce others to the beauty of the coastline I call home while raising money for Dr. Daniels’ clinic so more people can benefit – like I did – from the skilled doctors at UCSD.
My first call was to my friend, Julie Thunder. I told her I’d like to host an event and call it the ‘King Tide Challenge’. This name is a perfect description because you can only do the walk during an extreme low tide, and it certainly is a challenge!
Julie and I have hosted the walk three times now and are amazed at the level of enthusiasm that grows each year..
Co-founder Julie Thunder….
I wear hats now!
When I grew up, sunburns were a right of passage – a sure sign of a fun summer. Back then, I didn’t realize what those sunburns would bring later in life, and my parents certainly didn’t know any better.
My repeated years of sunburns have created smaller skin cancers like basal cell and squamous which have had to be cut out, burned off, and chemically excised with ‘chemo’ medicated creams. Thankfully, I haven’t suffered a life-threatening melanoma diagnosis.
Skin cancer isn’t fun. But the treatments are improving, thanks to dedicated research institutes like UCSD Moores Cancer Center, who are pushing the limits with cutting edge research.
Meet Dr. Greg Daniels, UCSD Melanoma Physician and Researcher
Dr. Daniels is accepting patients into his clinic. Start here.
Do YOU have a skin cancer story to share or a loved one to honor?
Send it to us at [email protected]