Congressman Pete King

Rep. King, Sen. McCain Work With Schillings Against Skin Cancer

As your Congressman I have always supported research centers across the country in their efforts to finds cures and treatments for diseases and illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Ironically, however, one of the most deadly diseases is 95% preventable and 95% curable when detected and treated early. That disease is melanoma.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. One person dies each hour from skin cancer and more than 75% of all skin cancer deaths are due to melanoma. Most of the damage which causes skin cancer occurs during childhood and one in 5 children will grow up to develop skin cancer. That’s why it is so important that parents learn how to protect their children from the sun and prevent them from developing cancer in later life.

Sen. John McCain and I are proud to assist the SHADE Foundation in its efforts to educate people about skin cancer. SHADE was founded by Shonda Schilling who is a melanoma survivor and the wife of baseball pitching great Curt Schilling. Sen. McCain is also a melanoma survivor. Recently, he and I co-chaired an event in Washington, D. C. for the SHADE Foundation which featured Shonda and Curt Schilling. It was a terrific evening attended by many skin cancer survivors and their families. This is a very worthwhile cause addressing an issue which all people – especially parents - should be aware of.