MelanomaAwareness.com is a project created by myself, Ryan Ritchie a 26 year old victim of stage IV metastatic melanoma.  My objective is to provide valuable information and awareness about this deadly, often times overlooked form of cancer.  There are many forms of highly publicized cancers such as breast, lung, and colon cancer, but it is rare to see publications about melanoma.  Melanoma is often times perceived as “just skin cancer”, especially by young people. They feel as though it can just be simply cut off and that’s all there is too it.  As I personally found out in August, 2003 it’s not that simple.  Studies have shown that melanoma can actually be more aggressive in young adults, thought to be due to their higher metabolic rate.  I am currently living with stage IV metastatic melanoma and everyday that I am alive is a gift.  Now 26 and feeling robbed of my future, I want to make every effort possible to bring awareness and save others from this deadly and in many cases, preventable disease. 

*This website was started on June 16,2007 and will take many hours to complete. Please stop by from time to time and check us out.

To learn more about me and my battle with melanoma, click the button to the left titled “Ryan’s Battle With Melanoma”.
*This is a photo of my melanoma taken by myself in May, 2003

 

*This site is optimized for 1024x768 resolution or higher*

Last updated on July 06, 2007