May Charity of The Month: The Andy Caress Melanoma Foundation

May Charity of the Month

I don’t think there is a single person alive that doesn’t enjoy a beautiful day in the sun. Sunlight makes you happy, it makes you feel better, it gives those that face harsh winters, hope, and there is a good chance that without proper protection it could kill you.

As a kid your mother would pin you down as you squirm and wiggle to slather on sunscreen to protect your precious skin. This wasn’t for her benefit, in fact if you ask her, I’m sure she will say it was her least favorite activity she did with you. As with many things in life, this is something that we all could learn from our mothers. Applying sunscreen, although an annoying task, is something that can save your life, especially for those that are fair skinned.

According to skincancer.og, each year in the US, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer. The deadliest and fastest growing type of skin cancer out there is melanoma. There is a common misconception that melanoma is one of the easy cancers to get. That is definitely not the case in fact, one person dies of melanoma every hour, 57 minutes to be exact.

In 2010 that one person that tragically lost his battle to melanoma was a 24 year old young man named Andy Caress.

Andy loved the outdoors and was never far from a tennis ball and racquet. In August of 2008 he finished near the top of his age group in a mini triathlon, with open lake swimming followed by biking and a run. He was considered to be in the best physical shape of his life. He was the definition of a strong fighter.

In October of 2008, Andy Caress was diagnosed with melanoma. Although his activities changed, his fight never faltered. In the midst of treatment Andy created a foundation called Mela-KNOW-More. As he was getting radiation treatments, surgeries and bio-chemo therapy he was fighting to change the misconception of melanoma to the public.

Throughout his treatment he never lost his fight or his drive to help find a cure for melanoma, but unfortunately he was faced with an opponent that he could not beat and died peacefully August 4, 2010.

Mela-KNOW-More is now The Andy Caress Melanoma Foundation, whose volunteer members are dedicated to continuing to pursue the mission of this amazingly strong young man.

“His mission is simple: ”My goal is that melanoma will never impact any person the way it has impacted me, and I will achieve my goal by educating the world about how melanoma may be prevented and identified.”’

The specific goals of The Andy Caress Melanoma Foundation are consistent with Andy’s mission and include:

1. Creating awareness about the seriousness of melanoma and that it affects all skin tones and races
2. Educating the public about steps that can be taken to prevent melanoma
3. Increasing opportunities for a cure for this deadly disease through work with leading melanoma and cancer research organizations
4. “Wipe melanoma off the face of the planet” – in Andy’s words

Frame USA has joined in their fight and has selected this fantastic organization as our charity of the month of May 2015.

Please consider donating $1 with your order of picture frames, so that this foundation can continue to wipe melanoma off the face of the planet.

For more information about Andy Caress, or The foundation and its programs please visit andycaress.com.