"What is that?" I get asked almost every day...I know my other Nevus family members are familiar with this question. I was born with a Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, occurring 1 in every 500,000 births. My birthmark doesn't define me, but it sure helps identify me. My parents never intentionally covered up my nevus, so neither did I.  In fact, I didn't treat my Nevus any differently than I did the rest of my lesser pigmented skin. Growing up, I was encouraged to participate in many sports including soccer, swim team, cross country and track.  I am used to getting stares from those who don't know me. As I have gotten older, I want others to know that Nevus owners are doing and accomplishing amazing things. Now that I am a high school runner who often competes at the state and national level, they might be staring at me for a different reason.  So now when I get asked, "What is that?" I can answer, "Its my racing stripe." 

My family is road tripping to Chicago over the next three days to attend the 2018 Nevus Outreach Conference which concludes next Sunday, July 8. There, I will be able to interact with other kids, teens, and adults that share my same unique characteristic, having a nevus. We are traveling approximately 2,000 miles so my goal is to raise a dollar per mile we travel, totaling $2000 for the Nevus Outreach. All donations will go to the Nevus Outreach to fund research, seek treatments and cures, and provide accurate information to parents and clinicians treating people with a Nevus. I truly appreciate your donations to support this amazing cause which has helped me and my parents since the day I was born.

Stay tuned I will post updates on this fundraiser as we travel and connect with my Nevus family.