At 71 years young, Tom Reilly has no intention of slowing down, especially when giving his time, voice, and resources to IMPACT Melanoma. Tom’s involvement with IMPACT Melanoma began shortly after his first diagnosis, initially playing in our annual fundraising golf event.
In 2009, at the age of 55, Tom, waiting to begin a round of golf, sat in a chair and felt a sharp pain in his back. At home, his wife confirmed she didn’t see an injury and his daughter, Courtney, in her residency for medical school, also assured him it was probably nothing. She did suggest it could be amelanotic –meaning without color– melanoma. Tom’s dermatologist also reassured him but biopsied it to confirm.
A week later his doctor called to let him know that the biopsy showed melanoma as Stage 3B or 3C. Surgery was scheduled soon after at Massachusetts General Hospital to remove it entirely. Tom immediately thought back to all of the days he spent in the sun with a lack of protection. Now, as a melanoma patient, Tom has become more involved with IMPACT Melanoma and has been a valued supporter of our mission and an important voice in the importance of adopting sun safe habits.
After Tom spent a year in treatment and was declared cancer free in 2010, he was subsequently diagnosed two more times: once with Stage 1 and again in 2021 with Stage 4.Tom shares his melanoma journey in this video as he emphasizes the importance of taking care of our skin – and this includes all generations: our parents, ourselves, and our children – so there will be fewer and fewer cases of melanoma.
IMPACT Melanoma is grateful for everything Tom has done as an advocate and supporter, a past member of our Board of Directors, and as a Keeper of the Hope honoree. We are thrilled that Tom is cancer free today and thank him for his willingness to share his story to raise awareness, promote prevention, and ultimately, save lives.
Watch the video to Meet Tom Reilly.
Learn more about our support for melanoma patients and their families.
