Our Story: How Melanoma Changed My Family’s Life
Life can shift in an instant. For my family, that moment came in May 2022, when my husband was officially diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma after months of tests.
In just a few months, he’d gone from a fully involved husband, dad, and friend to barely able to stay awake for more than a few hours without extreme exhaustion setting in. Our family, once always on the move—especially outdoors—suddenly found ourselves staying close to home so Eric could rest when he wasn’t still trying to work.
We’ve always had fair skin. Sunscreen was part of our routine, especially on hot summer days. But we didn’t realize melanoma could happen to someone young, active, and healthy.
My husband fought bravely, but melanoma doesn’t always play fair. Losing him changed everything for me and our three kids. It’s why the sun feels different now. And it’s why I started Brave in the Shade: to share our story, help others protect themselves, and keep living boldly while staying safe.
If sharing what we’ve learned helps even one person catch melanoma early or prevent it altogether, it’s worth it. Please take sun safety seriously. It matters more than you might think.
Brave in the Shade 