Speaking Up

Yesterday, my friend, and fellow cancer crusader, Margaret and I met up together to begin our pre-Pirates party in honor of the newly released Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (one of my guiltless obsessions is Captain Jack Sparrow).

As we were driving to her place, after picking up some delicious Panda Express (another one of my guiltless obsessions), we drove past a popular apartment complex that had a sign that read "Unlimited Tanning".

We were both shocked and appalled. In truth, Margaret forewarned about this shocking advertisement. "Danielle, I drove past this yesterday and got so angry! I thought 'When Danielle sees this she's going to be angry, too!'"

It's good to know that my friends, as a result of their association with me and their involvement with Cancer Crusaders, are now on the prowl for such infractions as "Unlimited Tanning" signs to entice college students to rent apartments.

All morning, while editing mass quantities of documents here at work, I kept thinking "Should I call up the apartment manager and/or BYU Off-Campus Housing and express my grave concerns over this issue of offering unrestricted access to tanning beds to young adults?" I didn't want to come across as antagonistic or annoying, but there are two simple facts that remain: 1). The use of tanning beds does increase one's risk for melanoma--the deadliest form of skin cancer; 2). Melanoma is killing more women in their 20s than any other form of cancer.

So, I placed a call to the apartment manager.

I was calm, cool, and collected while offering statistics and facts about melanoma and young adults' risk for this deadly disease; how tanning beds do increase one's risk, etc. Imagine my surprise when the apartment manager told me that is a skin cancer survivor (not melanoma). "So, you are acutely aware of the fact that skin cancer is a serious issue, especially for our young adults who, like us, are in their 20s. You understand why I am so concerned about the fact that you provide unlimited access to tannings beds to your residents!" That is when she snapped. "The students who live here understand the risks and it's their option; it's their choice. They have the right to do what they want." "Ma'am, I don't think you realize that these young adults do not understand the risk involved; they do not understand the seriousness of melanoma. Who can I talk to about this, because this is serious. What can we do to protect these students."

Dial tone.

For several years now, ever since I met my good friend and co-founder, Natalie, I have seen signs, billboards, and other advertisements about tanning that have upset me. I have been so tempted to call and voice my concerns, and/or run a letter-to-the-editor and/or PSA in the local newspaper. Yet, I have never actually spoke up to the tanning industry. I have helped fight for legislation regulating indoor tanning here in Utah, to which I received several pieces of "hate mail". I know of friends and colleagues in the skin cancer community who have received threatening letters, emails, and phone calls. In fact, my friend Robin Lawrence - a five time melanoma survivor who works at the Evansville Cancer Center - has even been threatened with legal action if she did not discontinue giving speeches saying that her addiction to tanning beds as a young woman contributed to the fact that she's battling melanoma in her 30s and 40s.

I do not enjoy stirring up controversy or ruffling feathers. On the whole, I get a long well with people. I, generally, prefer to please people. Yet, when it comes to an issue such as protecting people from deadly cancer, I am passionate. I'm emotionally-invested in this, because the health, safety, happiness, and well-being of individuals is extremely important to me. I was raised to speak the truth, to stick up for others, to serve and protect people especially my loved ones, and to fight for what is true and right.

And the irrefutable fact is that ultraviolet radiation, even from indoor tanning facilities, increases one's risk for melanoma skin cancer. It's scientifically true. Consider the surveys and studies conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology.

And if I can protect someone from having to suffer cancer, I will. I couldn't save my mother from cancer, but I can, perhaps, do something to help another individual; to save their life.

For more information about tanning beds - how they work and the relational link to skin cancer, get out www.aad.org and get your copy of ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Skin Cancer Programs and Resources on Amazon.com today! (You can also learn more about Robin Lawrence, who I mention here in this Blog).


Remember, this about reducing and eliminating skin cancer. It is about saving lives. This not about attacking other people, their business, or an industry. It is not about ruffling feathers or stirring the pot, so to speak. I believe there is a way to work with each other, even if we are on opposing sides, to facilitate professional two-way (and honest) dialogue and thus create a solution to this epidemic. I believe that it will come when all parties involved are willing to address the facts, be honest, and work hard--together. It is hard work educating people. It is hard work protecting people. Yet, it is an important and vital work. THIS IS ABOUT EDUCATING AND PROTECTING YOUNG ADULTS FROM THE WORLD'S MOST COMMON AND PREVENTABLE CANCER!

That said, here's wishing health to you and yours!

United in the cause,
Danielle.

"What You Talkin' 'Bout, Danielle?"

It was July 2005. I was crossing the street from my humble little Cancer Crusaders' cubical at Utah Valley State College, to Circuit City to get printer paper, a printer cartridge, and other supplies for a trip to Chicago. (Natalie and I were getting ready for the 2005 Gold Triangle Awards ceremony, where the American Academy of Dermatology honored us for the new, national Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon symbol). As I was crossing the street and heading into Circuit City, I saw a gentleman who looked curiously familiar.

"Is that Gary Coleman," I asked myself. Apparently, I asked that question of myself out loud, because it yielded the following response: "Duh! Yes it is Gary Coleman!"

Imagine that. There was Gary Coleman, best known for his role on the 80s television show Diff'rent Strokes, coming out of the Orem, Utah Circuit City.

Thus began, as you likely guessed, an impromptu discussion on why he chose to live in Utah, and why I was sporting a wide-brimmed hat that read "Skin Cancer Awareness" on it. Here's an excerpt of that conversation:

Me: Did you know that Utah's risk for skin cancer is the highest in the nation?
Gary: That's because there's so many of you white folks around here.
Me: There are a large number of fair-skinned people, but even people with darker skin can get skin cancer. In fact, Bob Marely died of melanoma--the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Gary: Nah.
Me: It's true. You know you can get one of these great wide-brimmed hats featuring the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol and support a great cause.
Gary: Shoot! I ain't gonna get no wide-brimmed hat. I stick out enough as it is already in this town!
Me: (laughs). Well, you should at least be good about slapping on that sunscreen. Here in Utah, we have more intense UV exposure.
Gary: You kiddin', I ain't gonna get no skin cancer.


I half-expected him to say "What you talkin' 'bout, Danielle!" No such luck.

Yet, despite that, I did have the chance to give a mini lesson on sun safety to, of all people, Gary Coleman.

My friend Kathleen and I were reminiscing about adventures we have had over the past couple of years, and one of the stories she brought up was my encounter with Gary Coleman. "Only you, Danielle, would stop someone in their tracks and try to convert them to the ways of being SunSavvy. Only you would try and sell a Skin Cancer Awareness hat to Gary Coleman!"

Hey, what kind of skin cancer crusader would I be if I didn't try to educate everyone?

What are some of your favorite adventures in teaching people about skin cancer prevention/sun safety? Do you have any stories about sporting the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol that you would like to share? I would love to hear from you!

Until next time, keep crusading.


Yours in the fight,
Danielle.