Two years ago, during Thanksgiving weekend, my nephew, a fine young man of exceptional character, was killed by a roadside bomb in Ad Duilayah, Iraq. We miss him daily, and it is with special interest I noticed a news story release today about another American soldier in Afghanistan, separated from family and homeland, who is planning to do a run to raise money for breast cancer in the desert of a foreign land. Army 1st Lt. Michael G. Clark, Task Force Muleskinner air movement officer, will run for the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure, only he won't be doing it in Pittsburgh. Back home, Clark would be running with his family during the annual event they have participated in for the last four years. Clark became involved in the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure after he lost his grandmother to breast cancer.

"When my grandmother passed away I was very devastated," Clark said. "It was hard on me. Later I decided I wanted to do something to help so that others wouldn't have to go through what I went through, losing someone to breast cancer. That's when I started running for the cure." Although Clark will not be able to run the race with his family members back home, he will be joined by some of his military family members, including his commander and other members of his unit.

Clark will continue collecting donations up until May 14. I went to the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure website and did a search of race participants for Army 1st Lt. Michael G. Clark and found this donation page. I called the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure affiliate office to verify this is the same person but no one at the office answers. If you wish to donate to his run, I believe this is the correct page to do so, but I cannot verify it with the race officials in Pittsburgh at this time. 

Photo credit:  Sgt. Michael J. Taylor, USA

Admittedly, for years I was a sun worshipper in quest of the perfect golden tan. But I noticed as the years went by the sun was changing, the effects were different, it did not feel as good to be out in the sun for long periods of time. I burned too quickly, tanned far less. I thought it was my imagination, or my age, but I have since learned that the ozone is thinning and the result is an altering in the intensity of the sun's rays. I practice sun safety these days.

When I was telling you about Olay's Bring a Buddy free skin cancer screening campaign, I read a heartbreaking personal story about Dr. Maribeth Bambino Chitkara losing Melissa, her sister, to melanoma at an early age. Who worries about the sun when they are young? I didn't, and most young adults don't. A mole on Melissa's right shoulder had become cancerous, and the cancer had spread to many of the lymph nodes under her arm. Despite treatment, between the two years of skin cancer diagnosis and death, the cancer continued to spread throughout Melissa's body, including her brain. The story, although a very sad one in the loss of a cherished and beloved sister and best friend, I recommend it for reading. The full story can be found here.

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Become aware and educated about the risks of skin cancer and sun safety. The sun is changing -- the damaging rays increasing in intensity. Even the very young need to be protected, and no one today can afford the risks from a golden tan.

In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, ASDS, is hosting the Bring a Buddy free skin cancer screening campaign. When you go in for your appointment to get checked for skin cancer, bring a friend with you, in a two-for-one special. In May and June, more than 150 dermatology surgeons nationwide will participate in providing free skin cancer screenings for women during the Bring a Buddy program.

Olay would like to remind women that with early detection skin cancer is almost always curable. To find a dermatologist offering free screenings in your area, visit grab a friend and save the skin you're in! at Olay or the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.