Runners against melanoma
Mark Rhodes, Broad Street Run, May 1, 2011
A statement from Mark Rhodes:
If you are a member of the melanoma community, you know what I mean when I talk about "BEATING THE BEAST." The BEAST is melanoma and it is not just skin cancer! I have been fighting it constantly since 1996 when I was originally diagnosed with melanoma. I went through three operations, ultimately had my left thumb amputated and endured excruciatingly painful follow up procedures to insure the melanoma was gone.
I subsequently had another tremendous scare a few years ago when a mass was found in the mesentry of my small intestines. Two-and-a-half years of PT Scans, CT Scans and more blood work than I would wish on anyone in a life time ensued. Unable to biopsy the mass because of its location, the mass remains, hasn't grown, and I am continually aware of its presence. So far, so good but there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about the Beast and whether it will rear its ugly head again and further impact my life.
Obviously, you can appreciate that "Beating the Beast" is not only a goal for me and my family but it is a way of life. I ran in the Broad Street Run on May 1 as a Runner Against Melanoma (RAM) and wore a bright orange singlet from the Susan Fazio Foundation for Melanoma Research. I also raised almost $8,000 for the Foundation's research program. (Just to let you know, the Foundation has invested over $275,000 in melanoma research just in the past 4 years!) I thank everyone who supported my run by making a donation to the Susan Fazio Foundation.
I finished the run in 1 hour, 27 minutes and 23 seconds, averaged 8:43 a mile. Could have kept going!!! Great day for the run. Great stuff!!!
– Mark Rhodes