Dear Medical Staff Member,
On May 1, 2000 our son, Steven Scott Robinson, died of melanoma at the age of 35. By the time Steve knew the mole on his chest was melanoma, it was too late for him. Melanoma had already reached his lymph nodes. He died ten months after receiving the diagnosis that he had melanoma. It was his request that we try to help others to be sure that this does not happen to them.
Being a former high school math teacher, I felt the best way to achieve this goal was through education. My husband and I established an endowment at CMC Foundation and asked the Minerva Society to work with us in educating others about melanoma. We are grateful to CMC and Mr. and Mrs. Craig Daue for supporting our son’s endowment.
Since 2003, CMC Foundation has arranged for a doctor and I to visit classrooms of third, fourth, and fifth graders to talk with students about the characteristics of melanoma and what the children can do to minimize their chances of getting melanoma. We have had several doctors go with us into the classrooms and I am very thankful that they have been willing to give up time from their busy schedule to help us in this endeavor. The children are very receptive at this age. I believe we have helped them understand how important it is to protect their body when they play outside. I hope to expand our program to reach all children in the local elementary schools.
As part of our goal to educate people about melanoma, we would like to provide our local doctors with an opportunity to catch up on the latest about melanoma without having to leave Missoula. We realize that they are very busy with their practice and their home life, thus we are very thankful that Dr. Mark Naylor from the University of Oklahoma has agreed to travel to Missoula to talk with physicians at 12:30 and with the general public at the Minerva Society meeting at 5:30 on March 21, 2007.
Please make time in your schedule to come, listen and talk with Dr. Naylor. I am sure that Dr. Naylor will be able to pass on information that will be valuable to all of us in eliminating the number of melanoma cases and in helping those with melanoma survive.
I would like to thank you in advance for coming and participating in this event.
Sincerely,
Betty Robinson
