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Melanoma survivor Marit Peterson was 4 years old when her mother, Candy Peterson, explained her own diagnosis of breast cancer. Candy says Marit's upbeat reaction: "We match, Mommy!" melted her heart and reminded her of her daughter's positive approach to tougher times in early childhood.
Marit, now 9, of Dallas, was born with a small bump on her finger. Pediatricians initially dismissed it as nothing. After the bump started to resemble a melanoma lesion similar to the one her grandfather had experienced, Candy's maternal instincts kicked in. She insisted on a biopsy, which failed to confirm whether or not the bump was cancerous. Still, local doctors recommended that the family visit MD Anderson.
That's where the Petersons met Jeffrey E. Lee, M.D., chair of Surgical Oncology, who's become like family to them. After diagnosing Marit with stage IIIb metastatic melanoma, he started treatment immediately. Marit had surgery and a year of Interferon injections. By the age of 2, she was officially labeled a survivor, already having endured more clinics and hospitals than many of us do in a lifetime.
"I love Dr. Lee. He saved my life," says Marit. "He took all my cancer away, and he's looking for clues to take away all the cancer for everybody. I'm lucky to have him as my doctor."
Overcome with gratitude, yet determined to end childhood melanoma, the Petersons felt compelled to support Lee's research into the inherited genome for melanoma. They established the Marit Peterson Fund for Melanoma Research and started a benefit golf tournament, which in seven years has raised more than $1 million.
Lee and his staff attend the Richardson, Texas, tournament every year to provide free skin cancer screenings. His continued partnership touches the Petersons.
"We're so thankful for Dr. Lee's involvement," says Candy. "Every year he gives a presentation on what the fund has accomplished over the past year, and it reaffirms everyone's commitment to this cause."
The Marit Peterson Fund has supported genetic testing on 1 million variations across the melanoma-causing part of the genome. The studies have identified several genes that may pose an increased risk for developing the disease.
The Melanoma Moon Shot, part of MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program to accelerate cancer advancements and save lives, is building upon the advances of Lee's studies as well as those of MD Anderson's immunologists, genomics experts, behavioral scientists and prevention researchers in a campaign to reduce deaths from melanoma and eventually to eradicate the disease.
The Petersons are thrilled that melanoma is one of the six initial moon shots efforts.
"When melanoma gets cured someday, I'll be really happy," says Marit. "It's important to help MD Anderson and Dr. Lee because it takes money to complete the research they need to make people better."
"Thanks to the Melanoma Moon Shot, all of this work we've been doing on the inherited genome for melanoma is going to become a part of something so much bigger," says Candy. "We couldn't be more grateful."
The success only strengthens the Petersons' commitment to the institution.
"All of the players on a football team can't be exactly the same. You need the best people at every position, and that's what MD Anderson has," says Candy. "We had the surgeons, the dermatologists and the pediatric oncologists, all working together for the win, which was getting our little girl back."
For more information and to make a donation, visit: cancermoonshots.org