Menu MELANOMA… “NEVER WALK ALONE” A diagnosis of melanoma doesn’t mean you have to face it alone. Arlene Houldin As a psycho-oncology counselor, Arlene Houldin knows first-hand just how devastating a diagnosis of melanoma can be. “Stress, fear, and anxiety are perfectly normal,” she notes. But as the patient advocates in this video can attest, there are options and there are resources. A diagnosis of melanoma doesn’t mean you have to face it alone. In honor of May being Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, we want to celebrate the patient advocates and organizations who share, inspire, and empower others on this journey. MELANOMA PATIENT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS OFFER PEOPLE LIVING WITH MELANOMA ACCESS TO A FULL SPECTRUM OF SERVICES AND INFORMATION. They provide patients and their loved ones with resources that offer emotional and/or financial assistance; information on treatment options, products in development and clinical trials; and information on prevention and early detection, among other topics. The Melanoma International Foundation (MIF) is one such organization. Founded by Catherine Poole after her diagnosis of melanoma, MIF aims to help those living with the disease, as well as their support networks. “Patients really need to hear from other melanoma patients and their experiences, and what helped them cope and find the best direction for their treatment.” – Catherine Poole Although Jamie Goldfarb grieved after her diagnosis and subsequent treatment, she found strength through the love and support of others. She now pays it forward as a patient advocate. “The love that you experience, that you feel and that is given to you is — it’s like nothing anywhere else. I think what has surprised me along the way is how much beauty is in this journey.” – Jamie Goldfarb BE SAFE IN THE SUN Your skin is your body’s largest and fastest-growing organ. Its jobs are numerous: It protects you from germs and helps to regulate your body temperature. Your skin protects you and keeps you healthy. So why not do the same and protect it from harmful UV rays? Here are a few ways to help keep your skin safe this summer season. READ MORE MELANOMA INFOGRAPHIC VIEW INFOGRAPHIC RESOURCES Melanoma Research Alliance Melanoma International Foundation Melanoma Research Foundation AIM at Melanoma National Cancer Institute — Melanoma American Cancer Society — Melanoma Skin Cancer Published April 2015; updated April 2016 Copyright. © 2009-2017 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map