The third story in our series on Skin Cancer Survivors for Melanoma Month. Our survivors have shared their personal stories to remind us of the importance of being SunAWARE. In 2007, Tim went to a Mayo Clinic dermatologist to have a mole on his left arm looked at. The doctor removed it right away so it could be tested. A few years prior, Tim had this same mole tested, and it was fine. But this time, the biopsy showed that the mole had turned into Melanoma.

Stephen Robert Loken, 42, recently became the first person to ever walk the entire Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China, which spans approximately 3,728 miles (6000km). Prior to his expedition, Robert found the Coolibar Travel Shirt, which he wore every single day throughout his journey.

It’s not fair that anyone should have to deal with something as life altering as melanoma, especially a 6-year-old. Rachael was only 5 when she was diagnosed with stage III melanoma. After a year of battling and conquering melanoma, Rachael and her family know all too well why sun protection is important.

The Leathernecks Dragon Boat Team is comprised of former and retired U.S. Marines, whose average age is 66. The slang term “Leatherneck” is used to describe United States Marine Corps members and originated from the leather collar formerly part of the uniform, worn for protection of the neck during sword combat. Many of the team’s members are battling skin cancer in one form or another and spend countless hours training and racing in the sun.