Leonard E. Warren Melanoma Foundation
Hundreds race for research
(This story appeared in The Clarion-Ledger on May 23, 2004)

By Jeremy Hudson
jehudson@clarionledger.com



Rick Guy/The Clarion-Ledger

Runners head down Jefferson Street in Saturday's Run From the Sun 5K in downtown Jackson. Runners, race walkers and wheelchair athletes participated in the race to raise awareness of skin cancer and fund research into the disease.
More than 300 people, many covered in thick layers of sun screen, ran or walked through downtown Jackson on Saturday in the first Leonard Warren Memorial 5K Run From the Sun.

It was the first of what organizers say will be an annual race to increase awareness of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, but one that can be kept from turning lethal by a simple trip to the doctor.

"We were just ecstatic with the turnout," said Marshall Ramsey, editorial cartoonist for The Clarion-Ledger and a melanoma survivor who helped organize the event. "But the really good news is this had people talking about melanoma. Over 100 people went in for checkups today. That's what it is really all about."

The event was named in memory of Clarion-Ledger Systems Editor Keith Warren's father, Leonard Warren, who died of melanoma seven years ago.

In researching the disease, Keith Warren learned about strides being made in treating the disease, and he wanted to raise money to further the cause. Being an avid runner, the thought of a 5K sounded like a good way to do it.



Rick Guy/The Clarion-Ledger

Zach Herrington of Pearl finishes Run From the Sun in first place.
Proceeds from Saturday's run, organized in part by the Mississippi Track Club, will benefit skin cancer research.

"If we live 10 more years, they are going to have a cure for melanoma," said Warren, who helped organize the event and ran in the race. "This is just our way of hopefully helping to boost things along."

The race started at 5 p.m., later than the usual early morning starts for most runs. Runners like Cathy Lewis of Brandon were grateful the start time kept them out the strong sun. She was lucky enough to catch two separate bouts of carcinoma before they turned deadly.

"A lot can be done if you catch it early," said Lewis, 33. "I thought I just had a dry patch of skin, but a doctor I work with saw it and told me it looked cancerous. I got it checked out and we were able to take care of it. You can have a good outcome, but you have to get checked if you have anything that looks at all suspicious."

While performing the screenings on Saturday, Dr. Kenneth Barraza of The Face and Body Center said he found a few cases of skin cancer but no melanoma.

It is important for people to have skin exams if they have risk factors such as a family history of melanoma, or often burn but don't tan when exposed to sun light, Barraza said.

Activities like sunbathing, not wearing sun screen while in the sun for prolonged periods of time or making frequent trips to tanning salons can cause melanoma, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

California, famous for tanned bodies and year-round sunshine, would be the first state to ban teenagers from artificial tanning booths if a bill passed Thursday by the state Assembly becomes law.

Backers of the bill, including the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, blame tanning salons for part of 1 million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year in the United States. The group cited 7,400 deaths annually from melanoma.

"They see the dangers there," Warren said. "Progress is being made, and that means lives are being saved."

Winners

Overall winners from Saturday's 5K Run From the Sun:

Event Winner Age Town Time
Male one-mile run Jeff Peeples 14 Jackson 5:54
Female one-mile run Lauren Gregory 10 Brandon 7:02
5K male run Zach Herrington 18 Pearl 17:02
5K female run Jackie Rentschler 21 Pearl 21:13
5K male walk Nick Kendall 71 Jackson 32:07
5K female walk Vida Dacus 41 Not listed 31:29