Right after takeoff from Houston’s Hobby International Airport, the airliner banked hard and turned toward home. My nose was pressed against the window, looking straight down at the ground. I watched as the plane chased its shadow across the city of Houston and the MD Anderson Cancer Center complex. I thought about Kelly. She was down there somewhere. Her smile. Her one swollen leg. Her tumors. I thought about Kelly. How she had put her life on hold and moved to Texas to seek a miracle — a cure for Stage IV melanoma.
Last Saturday, I had the honor of emceeing the fourth annual AIM at Melanoma 2011 Houston Walk. It’s the baby of Judy Sager — an amazing woman who’s fighting the horrible disease that took the life of her husband Jurgen Sager. Each melanoma survivor got a special t-shirt. And when I wasn’t talking, I was seeking out the special shirts and the survivors who were wearing them. I was amazed at their stories of bravery. Of pain. Of fear. And of hope.
Kelly’s story really moved me. Maybe it was her sense of humor (just like mine) or maybe was it her inspiring determination to make a miracle happen (she managed to walk half of the 5K course). Or maybe it is because she’s my age and is a parent, too. I felt my scar as I talked to her. There but for the Grace of God go I.
Later that afternoon, I met the Chairman of the Melanoma Department, Dr. Patrick Whu. We discussed the research MD Anderson has been conducting. How they are on the verge of making miracles. Saturday’s race gave them over $80,000 to help do just that.
I said goodbye to Kelly late Saturday morning and hoped it wouldn’t be for the last time. I prayed that Dr. Whu and his team will find that miracle for Kelly and the thousands of other melanoma warriors need. I want them to live long and full lives.
I thought of Kelly one more time today as my plane pierced a cloud as the shadow and the City of Houston disappeared from sight.
Great story, Marshall. Less than two years ago, my father died (survived the operation to remove the cancer, but not the stroke that came while he was in intensive care) in the VA hospital across the street from MD Anderson.
That is a wonderful compassionate story. I am a cancer survivor many many years ago. Not melanoma but cancer just the same. And I do thank God that He allowed me to live to see my children grown and see my grandchildren. It is a terrible disease.
Praying that there will be a cure for melanoma soon. MD Anderson is a wonderful place. They did all they could to save our 37 year old daughter-in-law Candice. It is so sad to know that a ten month old little boy and a 7 year old little girl will no longer have the Mother they need and love. Sad to think of their Dad and our son without his wife.
My heart goes out to Kelly and all those fightening this evil cancer.
As an artist/journalist and also melanoma survivor, you put things in such a unique perspective that others would never have been able to accomplish. The pleasure of meeting with you, and various other survivors that have also beat The Black Beast have renewed my hope that someday Melanoma will have the cure we all desire for. On my flight home, I read a book “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo, and I remember reading that in Heaven the young son, Colton, stated that he saw how happy people were in their pain free environment. So it made me think why can’t we have that environment on Earth? Why can’t we have a cure or at the very least a truly successful protocol on Melanoma in our world NOW? Our loved ones would be here with us..so let us join the Battle against the Black Beast! The Beast will be brought down with us!! Thanks for all you do against melanoma-Marshall.
Praying that a cure will be found.
praying for my friend who had some places removed from her back last week. she should have lab results today. she has survived cancer once already.
Prayers for my friends brother who was at MDA 3 weeks ago getting a treatment plan for Stage IV Melanoma.
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