She had a very good friend of Luke's write his short story specifically for us-
This guy was young at the time- he was just out of college, where he played football and now he is a coach in the North Texas area.. Here is what he sent to us:
A Close Call
I am one of those people who is pretty dark-skinned and never thought about putting sunscreen on or really trying to block the sun in any way. Being an active person and athlete all of my life kept me in the sun all of the time and now being a football coach, I am in the sun even more. So in March, I noticed a knot on my neck and went to the doctor at the begining of June once school was out. The doctor removed the spot and found out it was melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer. Since i had not gone to the doctor when I first noticed the knot, the cancer cells had a chance to enter my body and possibly my blood. So now I have to receive an injection every two weeks to basically flush my system and clean me out. After I receive these shots I cannot do anything for a few days because I am so weak. I have to receive 6 of these shots and then get tested again to make sure the cells are gone. ALl of this could have been prevented had I put on sunscreen. I know it taked extra time and remembering to do so, but take it from me, its not worth risking your life.
I don't want to publish his came, but he is a coach at
Sherman HS
We have this letter hung in the coaches office next to a basket of unused sunscreen, so if you want some, but don't have any- go ask a coach if you can use some. Tell them I said it was ok and for your protection:) ha
PLEASE take the time to put on sunscreen- whether you are a coach, a parent or a player. I am the worlds WORST at it, so I feel hypocritical saying it since I go to a tanning bed 3 days a week, so hopefully I will take my own advise. But my 40 minutes a week is nothing compared to a football coach or player's 10 hour workout in the sun.
Sunscreen is important people!!!
