[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 65 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MELANOMA FOUNDATION KICKS OFF LIFESAVING ``MOLE PATROL'' IN NORTHERN 
                               CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 1997

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the invaluable 
health service performed by the William S. Graham, or ``Billy,'' 
Foundation for Melanoma Research in Castro Valley, CA.
  The Billy Foundation is an incorporated, nonprofit foundation--and 
perhaps the only public foundation dedicated to supporting melanoma 
research. Established in 1996, the foundation is named in memory of 
Billy Graham, a 22-year-old man who succumbed to this deadly disease 
after a long, courageous battle.
  The president and founder is Billy's mother, Karen L. Graham, who, 
with the help of a medical advisory committee and several cancer 
experts, has vowed to educate the public on early detection and 
prevention of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
  Unfortunately, the incidence of melanoma is rising at an alarming 
rate. This year, nearly 40,000 people will be diagnosed. If treated in 
its very early stages, melanoma is a highly curable cancer. Without 
early detection, however, this potentially curable disease can be 
fatal. The Billy Foundation is spreading the word that far too many 
diagnoses are made in later stages--when the curability rate is only 
about 20 percent.
  To help with early identification of melanoma and pre-cancerous 
conditions, and inspired by this being National Melanoma Month, the 
Billy Foundation has begun a unique lifesaving program called the MOLE 
PATROL. With a recently donated van, the MOLE PATROL's staff of 
volunteer dermatologists provide free melanoma spot-screenings 
throughout bay area. The MOLE PATROL will screen in high population 
geographic areas including coastal areas, beach resorts, amusement 
parks, schools and sports events. The van will also visit schools and 
community organizations to disseminate educational materials and 
information on the disease and the foundation. Finally, the 
foundation's findings will be used in the national statistics 
calculated by the American Academy of Dermatology.
  With melanoma's high incidence and low cure rate, it is shocking that 
this deadly disease gets so little attention--and so little funding for 
research. We thank the Billy Foundation for alerting us to the 
seriousness of sun exposure and for heightening public awareness of the 
early stages of this potentially tragic disease.