2010.07.01: July 1, 2010: Nepal RPCV Heather Thomas died last June from Melanoma

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Nepal: Peace Corps Nepal : Peace Corps Nepal: New Stories: 2010.07.01: July 1, 2010: Nepal RPCV Heather Thomas died last June from Melanoma

By Admin1 (admin) (98.188.147.225) on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - 2:58 pm: Edit Post

Nepal RPCV Heather Thomas died last June from Melanoma

Nepal RPCV Heather Thomas died last June from Melanoma

She was just 38. Not a customer of tanning salons, she did get more than her share of sun exposure, especially during the 2 years she was with the Peace Corps in Nepal. "And when she was in Nepal, of course that was of course very, very bright sun, burning sun." While in Nepal in 1998, Heather found a skin lesion that was mistakenly diagnosed as a fungal infection, says Judy. By the time she was diagnosed, the Melanoma was stage four. "And Heather, from the time she was diagnosed, she tired to talk to people and say think about what you're doing when you're out in the sun."

Nepal RPCV Heather Thomas died last June from Melanoma

Melanoma not only caused by indoor tanning

28 million customers of tanning salons are being hit with an extra 10% tax.

It's one of the provisions in the new federal health care law.

It could generate some $2.7 billion in 10 years.

Tanning booths were target, because of the link between tanning and skin cancer.

There has been a sharp increase in the deadliest form of skin cancer, Melanoma, among women under 30.

Researchers point the finger at the popularity of indoor tanning.

Of course, not all Melanomas are caused by indoor tanning.

That's something a local family wants to remind us about.

Judy Thomas' daughter Heather died last June from Melanoma.

She was just 38. Not a customer of tanning salons, she did get more than her share of sun exposure, especially during the 2 years she was with the Peace Corps in Nepal.

"And when she was in Nepal, of course that was of course very, very bright sun, burning sun."

While in Nepal in 1998, Heather found a skin lesion that was mistakenly diagnosed as a fungal infection, says Judy.

By the time she was diagnosed, the Melanoma was stage four.

"And Heather, from the time she was diagnosed, she tired to talk to people and say think about what you're doing when you're out in the sun."

It's a message Doctor Jean Buhac hopes people hear because of the number of Melanoma's she's seeing.

"Well it tripled in the last 20 years, and approximately, there are 60,000 new cases every year and about 8,000 deaths from Melanoma."

As for getting a base tan at a tanning salon, she says it heightens the Melanoma risk.

"The base tan, you're doing the damage up front, even before your vacation. You may not get that red burn but you're still getting cumulative ultraviolet radiation."

Heather left behind a husband, Rich Malozzi and their son, Andre.

All of them are now working toward getting a meditation garden built at Malta Library.

Heather had been the Malta Town Planning Director.

They feel that this is a way to honor her and spread the word about Melanoma awareness.

Rich said "We want it to continue to grow over the years and have other people find reasons to contribute and help it grow."

So far, they have raised $23,000.

They need to hit the $40,000 before they can break ground.

So they're raffling off a quilt that Judy made and hosting a series of fundraisers.

If you'd like to donate to the fund for the Meditation Garden being built at the Malta Library, contact the library or the town for a list of upcoming events.

Raffle tickets for the quilt can be purchased at the Malta Town Library.



Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: July, 2010; Peace Corps Nepal; Directory of Nepal RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Nepal RPCVs; Medicine; Safety and Security of Volunteers





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Story Source: WNYT

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Nepal; Medicine; Safety

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