Community Corner

Family of Evergreen Woman Who Died From Melanoma Talks Prevention

After Evergreen Park resident Meg Moonan died of melanoma, her family vowed to raise awareness.

By Mary Kate Brogan

The Circle Park Auditorium fills with energetic young Evergreen Park day campers. Nancy Donovan, a grandmother, stands in front with her daughter and three grandchildren and smiles. She wants these children to be able to preserve their energetic youthfulness, and by teaching them proper sun safety, she hopes to do just that.

Donovan is the president of March 4 Meg, an organization dedicated to her daughter Meg Moonan who died at 43 after a 19-month battle with melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Since Meg’s death, her family created the organization’s 5K run and walk in Evergreen Park on the anniversary of her death, March 30, 2012.

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Donovan only expected about 300, hoped for 500 and was shocked when 1,600 participants arrived for the 5K. The race raised $30,000 for melanoma research at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. But this is only part of the organization’s work.

“March 4 Meg’s mission is to raise money for research, but it’s also education and awareness so I felt like we couldn’t just stop with the 5K run/walk,” Donovan says. “We really needed to reach young people because it’s the sunburns before the age of 18 that are causing the problems.”

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Education is the reason Donovan is at Circle Park today. When the children quiet down, Donovan asks her granddaughter, Elizabeth McGeehan, 8, to demonstrate the American Cancer Society’s recommended method of sun protection: Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!

  • Slip! on a shirt: Donovan recommends tight-knit fabrics and long-sleeved shirts for better sun protection.
  • Slop! on Sunscreen: Donovan says to wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or above and to reapply every two hours. “Don’t forget your ears and the tops of your feet,” she says.
  • Slap! on a Hat: A wide-brim hat that covers the ears and back of the neck, is best in terms of covering one’s head, Donovan says.
  • Wrap! on Sunglasses: Donovan suggests wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes and surrounding skin.

Donovan wants to raise awareness in young children especially because awareness saved another one of her daughters as well.

“Meg’s twin Maureen was diagnosed with melanoma,” Donovan says. “It was very small but she had one. Thank heavens she went to the doctor.”

State representative Kelly Burke will join Donovan on Friday to speak to Evergreen Park day camp students about sun safety. For more information on March 4 Meg and melanoma, contact info@march4meg.com or visit http://www.march4meg.com/.



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