Letter from Lisa

Thank you to the Glenna's family for the courage to share their story of how scary and threatening Melanoma really is. When I was 25, I was diagnosed with Melanoma, but I have a very different story. Thankfully, I caught it early, and my Melanoma did not spread to my lymph nodes or organs, and 11 years later, I'm considered a cancer survivor. Even though I have survived, I often take for granted just how lucky I was to have it caught it so early - especially when I hear stories such as Glenna's. I have spread the word - on a much smaller scale - to those that I know about the benefits of regular mole checks, and the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. In comparison, I've made much smaller strides than you, but I'm eternally thankful to those who have the courage to spread the word on a much more global and public scale. Thank you for sharing your story, and helping to save the lives of those who may not have previously thought about the harm that Melanoma can have on a family!

Lisa


Letter from Laura

Hi..my name is Laura, i am 19 and im from Dominican Republic. I was sitting here in my house reading Cosmopolitan, n when i read the article about Glenna i was surprised, shocked and, at the same time, inspired. I really want to thank you for sharing this story with us, and i know that you have made many people feel inspired with it too. This story can really change people's lives. In this country people dont pay attention to this kind of cancer, but i think the story will arrive to more persons and i hope this will make them think too. I 100% support your law and your foundation, and i think you guys are making a wonderful work. Your daughter has to be Proud, and she really was a hero for fighting for her life in the way that she did.


Letter from Elizabeth

Hi,

I just wanted to thank you, on behalf of myself and my 2 year old little girl, for finding the unbelievable courage to share Glenna's story. While I know you are inundated with letters just like these, I still feel compelled to reach out and share my little story.

I'm an almost 30 year-old wife, mom and full time attorney. I have very little time for myself, and even less time to check out my skin on a regular basis. I have a family history of melanoma, and I have a lot of moles/birthmarks, so I know I should be more careful, but I just wasn't. No excuse. Last month, my husband and I were on vacation in Arizona celebrating our 5 year anniversary. I had already finished the latest Dan Brown novel, so I had nothing else to read out by the pool. When you're used to having a 2 year old to chase around, it's too boring to sit out in the sun and just relax, so I stopped at the hotel gift shop to pick up the latest Cosmopolitan magazine. I haven't bought Cosmo in probably 10 years, but for some reason it just felt like the right thing to do.

As I flipped through the magazine, it was truly the "perfect storm" of circumstances... had I stumbled across Glenna's story while at home, I probably would have skipped over it, or glanced through it, chasing my daughter around while bundled up in a sweater. Had I just been laying out by the pool in Arizona without the Cosmo magazine, I wouldn't have paid any attention to my body. Fortuitously, though, I happened to be reading Glenna's story while laying out by the pool in a bikini - the magazine balanced on my knees, and my eyes glancing over my own skin as I read about what Glenna endured. When I finished the story, I started checking myself out, out of sheer paranoia, and I noticed a tiny little mole, no more than 2-3cm, nothing I would ever have noticed on its own. I compared the mole to the pictures at the end of Glenna's story, and realized that it looked a bit darker and less "perfectly round" than it should have.  Inspired by Glenna's story, I made an appointment to have it checked out.

I just got the call yesterday that the mole was, in fact, abnormal, and well on its way to becoming cancerous. I just scheduled an appointment to have the entire area excised, the margins removed, etc. I am hoping that the follow-up biopsy will come back clear, and I will have learned from this small scare to get checked out every 6 months. The doctor made it clear, however, that if I hadn't come in and gotten this mole removed when I did, it would have turned very dangerous very quickly. But for Glenna's story, I never would have gotten the mole checked out.

One last thing. In trying to figure out how to contact your family, I stumbled across Glenna's blog and was shocked to learn that October 2nd was Glenna's birthday. As I mentioned, my husband and I were in Arizona celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary.  The date I read the article and found the mole happened to be on the date of our actual anniversary... Friday, October 2, 2009.

My mom died of cancer when I was 24. I wanted to have kids young (relatively, I suppose), because I never wanted my children to have to know what it was like not to have a mom, at least not until she was much older. It never crossed my mind that there could be a time when I wasn't there for her.  But there could have been. And now, hopefully, there won't be. Because of Glenna's story.

So, thank you.

Liz


Letter from Jessica

Hi Colleen,

My name is Jessica Barry, I am 19 years old and I live in New Jersey. Recently I had a few A-typical moles removed better known as Dysplastic Nevi. I found this article in a cosmo magazine and I was so awakened by Glenna's story. She is not only a symbol of strength but she is so inspirational. I am entering the Miss Monmouth County pageant and I get the priviledge of choosing a platform; I chose Skin Cancer Awareness and Prevention. I too use to indulge in tanning booths and bask in the sun on the beach; Glenna's story literally brings tears to my eyes. I have been speaking to local sports teams and clubs in my community to heighten the awareness and I did want to share that I have printed out Glenna's story and posted it on my poster board. I will include her story in my speech and continue to preach the importance of skin care safety. Hopefully I can come to the next event that is hosted by Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope because I am so inspired to have learned about Glenna. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with her, her family and friends; you truly are making a difference.

Thank you,
Jessica Barry


Letter from Sherry

I was absolutely inspired by Glenna's story. I read about the story in Cosmo this month and was in tears to read about someone as similar as I am. I was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in July of 2005, I had an area removed in April of 2005 and received the news back from the Mayo clinic in July. I was only 20 years old. I was terrified. I endured a year of chemo and interferon treatments and have been in remission since 2006. I am so proud to be a survivor and overwhelmed by the strength that Glenna brough forth until the end of her battle. Her story will change people's lives! Bless you for being an advocate for people everywhere and bringing her memories alive for an amazing cause!


Letter from Shannon

I was diagnosed with Stage II Mealanoma in July 2008. I had surgery 10/20/2008 and have been cancer free since...but is scares the crap out of me that I might battle it again in the future.