Mika’s Story: Staying Postive and Proactive

I was diagnosed with Melanoma in February 2025. Here is my story … 

I have always been a lover of the sun … and said I am solar powered several times. I grew up in the 80s, no sunscreen. I grew up going to my family’s lake house, played travel softball for 9 years outside every summer, was a lifeguard, vacationed in sunny spots my whole life, run and am active outside my entire 43 years … until February 17th, 2025. 

I went in for a routine body check and my new dermatologist thought it was melanoma about one minute into my exam. He immediately took a biopsy … it took a week to confirm it was melanoma. I had two facial Mohs surgeries to remove the cancer. They took a piece out of my right cheek the size of a silver dollar. Then it took 60 stitches to close up the hole that was open on my face for 9 days waiting to get clear margins. 

I am two weeks into a topical chemo treatment for abnormal cells that were still detectable. The treatment is 3 times a week for about 2 months. I have mentally prepared for the physical and emotional trauma that comes along with the “C” word, but focusing on it is needed and it won’t last forever. 

I can honestly say this has been the hardest thing I have had to deal with in my 43 years. The type of melanoma is genetic, so it was hard to detect, but hopefully not tricky to treat. 

I partnered with the Melanoma Research Foundation out of DC to raise money to support others diagnosed and to ultimately cure melanoma. 

May is National Melanoma month, so I have been busy working to raise awareness before summer. I am sharing my story with NBC 5’s Evrod Cassimy. He will come to my first chemo treatment and interview my doctors and myself, as well as the CEO of the Melanoma Research Foundation.  You can see my story on NBC 5 here.

I am working with IL State Representative La Shawn Ford to make the 1st Monday in May every year … Mika’s Melanoma Monday … to remind people in IL to get an annual skin check, because early detection is KEY! 

I am also running in the annual Miles for Melanoma on July 20th at Montrose Harbor, so please sign up and join me. Here is my team’s page.

As you can see I have been busy trying to immerse myself in this world so I can stay healthy and help others.

Thank you to everyone for reaching out, the texts, calls, meals, cards, gifts, messages, flowers and prayers are all keeping me positive and strong.