Miles Against Melanoma to fight cancer at UCO

Aug. 19--EDMOND -- One person dies every 61 minutes of melanoma.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because it can spread to the lymph nodes and distant organs. The numbers, according to 2014 statistics released by the National Cancer Institute, show an estimated 76,100 cases of melanoma, or 4.6 percent of all new cancer cases. Of these numbers there were an estimated 9,170 deaths in 2014 or 1.7 percent of all deaths.

Melanoma is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than males in the same age group, and melanoma in individuals 10-39 years old is highly curable, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 90 percent.

Friends and relatives across the United States are raising the flag for awareness, research and finding a cure through Miles Against Melanoma.

Oklahoma has joined three other states in hosting a Miles Against Melanoma race, fun run and walk. Those states include Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Miles Against Melanoma OK will have its first annual 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk at 8 a.m.Sept. 13. The fun run/walk will start and end at Plunkett Park on the University of Central Oklahoma campus.

Participants can register for the either the 5K, which is 3.1 miles or walk. The cost includes : Running 5K individual $50, Virtual Runner 5K is $35, 1 mile Fun Run/Walk for $25 and Kids 5K, 20 and Under for $10.

To register go to [email protected] and pick up a packet at KOKO Fit Club in Edmond, 309 S. Bryant Ave. #100 in Edmond.

"Events like the Miles Against Melanoma OK 5K and 1 Mile fun run/walk are vital for funding cancer research," said Ashley Watts, Oklahoma's director. Co-directors are her sister, Megan Watts, and Janae Pitts.

"By signing up and showing your support you're advocating to 'Save the skin you're in'. Your contribution will be fully tax deductible as we are a registered 501(c)3 organization," Ashley said.

Oklahoma's first fun run will have food trucks, a raffle, face painting and various activities for both young people and those who are young at heart including a runners award ceremony until we wrap up the afternoon around noon, Ashley said.

Miles Against Melanoma is a national organization that began in 2010.

Miles Against Melanoma OK was started in memory of Madison Watts, who at just 18, a freshman in college and a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Social Sorority on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma. While she fought each step with bravery and courage, Maddy did not win the final battle.

"Maddy battled for eight straight months, with the trips to Houston, the chemo, the radiation, we all thought it was working and we believed that God would perform the miracle we were all asking for," her sister Megan Watts said.

But that didn't happen. On May 27, 2013, Maddy lost her battle against melanoma.

"I got involved with Miles Against Melanoma after losing my little sister and best friend at just 19 to the cancer beast," Ashley Watts said. "While Madison, our always laughing, joking, smiling and enduring patient, went through chemos, surgeries and the loss of her hair, her friends were in college, studying, socializing and enjoying their adolescence; oftentimes with no clue of the severity of her diagnosis. This is a young person's disease and it has become my mission to see to it that Maddy's life wasn't lost in vain."

With the organization's mission to provide the public with education regarding the extreme damaging effects of the sun and tanning devices, Ashley said they hope to provide funding for awareness, education, advocacy and research for skin cancer, melanoma and cancers related to melanoma.

The local organization also advocates detection through skin examinations and will help find dermatologists in the area.

"Another goal is to ease the financial burden for patients, their caregivers and medical professionals by raising funds to help them," Ashley said.

Ashley and her sister Megan said they hope to aid in providing support to those with melanoma and to ultimately find a cure.

"Our goal is to spread to every city in the United States to change the mindset of Americans and bring about community awareness in every state," Ashley said.

Miles Against Melanoma has several events slated across the U.S. for 2014.

"We have set a fundraising goal of $100,000 to donate to the organization, and we are looking to increase our national presence by 10 percent," Ashley said.

Miles Against Melanoma nationwide has donated $16,000 to Dr. Lynn Cornelius and the Melanoma Multidisciplinary team at Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJC–The Richard A. Crowder Memorial Research Fund); $18,000 was donated to UT Southwestern Medical Center; $20,000 was donated to University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Melanoma Clinic; and $1,000 was donated to MD Anderson to support its Moonshots Program.

"In all, $86,000 was raised in 2013 and donated to many organizations who are finding a cure for melanoma," Ashley said.

This program is designed to provide financial assistance for patients and their immediate family as they undergo treatment and/or surgery for Stage 3 or 4 metastatic melanoma. MAM can provide assistance with office copays, annual deductibles, COBRA health insurance premiums, and other expenses as funds allow.

"We hope to serve as a platform for awareness, education and research. Too many families are robbed of time with loved ones and it is time to make waves in order to hopefully one day, eradicate this awful disease.

"No matter the distance we all run for Maddy's Mission," Ashley said. "She said she could and she did."

FOR MORE information about Miles Against Melanoma in Oklahoma, go to www.mamok.org.

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