Denver Miles for Melanoma: Team Anomaly’s “Why”

Speech from the 2024 Denver Miles for Melanoma 5K by Randei McTaggart, cutaneous melanoma survivor and MRF supporter: 

Randei McTaggart

“Good morning fellow warriors, caregivers, and supporters. It is truly an honor to be here with all of you today, and to have this opportunity to share Team Anomaly’s “why.” My name is Randei McTaggart. I am a cutaneous melanoma survivor and I have never had a known spot on my skin.

My melanoma story begins on the worst day of my life. On April 24, 2021, my beautiful 22-year-old niece, who had valiantly battled brain cancer and then the side effects of treatment for 20 years, left this earthly plane. Just two days later, I went ahead with a scheduled procedure to remove a large “lipoma,” and then I got in the car and drove myself to Iowa to be with my family. The day after my niece’s funeral, the surgeon called to tell me that the “lipoma” turned out to be malignant melanoma. I knew virtually nothing about melanoma at that time, which was probably not the worst thing for my mental health. My mom rode back to Colorado with me and accompanied me to my initial consultation and scans, which staged me at IIIc. My first appointment with a dermatologist, and all subsequent skin exams have not revealed a primary site or any additional melanomas. I went through the standard Wide Lesion Excision and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, and then began my first-line treatment: Opdivo. I was tolerating it well, but just a few months later, there was a lump deep in my left axillary. An ultrasound confirmed that it was likely malignant, and I began to prepare for my third surgery. This time, my surgeon and I agreed on a full axillary dissection – 30 lymph nodes were removed; 29 were negative and only that one was positive; to this day, my mom will tell you her favorite number is 29.

This time around my oncologist recommended the Opdivo + Yervoy combo. After only 2 treatments, I had an immunotherapy related adverse event and spent three days in the hospital. I was initially told that I would need to discontinue treatment, but I recovered from the colitis very quickly, and my oncologist felt that we could try Yervoy alone. I
completed the 4 cycles of Yervoy without any other reactions and moved into the maintenance phase, where I continued with the Yervoy every 3 months. I have now had No Evidence of Disease for 2 ½ years and just a few weeks ago, on May 20, I was fortunate enough to ring that bell for my last treatment. There are still many appointments and scans ahead, and I know that vigilance is key, but I believe in the body’s ability to heal itself. And I know that new breakthroughs in melanoma treatment are happening every year thanks to the Melanoma Research Foundation. According to their website: Prior to 1975, there were no FDA approved treatments for melanoma. By 2011, only 3 had been approved. However, 16 new treatments have been approved since then, with more research in the pipeline all the time. With these advancements, the survival rate for metastatic melanoma has gone from 5% to nearly 50%. And that number will only continue to increase as more research is funded.

I am thankful for the perseverance and determination of Jim Allison, whose research on immune checkpoint inhibitors led to the development of immunotherapy.

I am thankful for the MRF who funds research that continues to make all types of melanoma, and many other cancers, more treatable each year.

I am thankful for Team Anomaly, who has supported me in so many ways over the last 3 years.

I am thankful for each of you who continue to show up and support the melanoma community.

I am thankful for Nicole, and all the MRF staff and volunteers that make this event possible.

For all those out there who are still going through melanoma, for all those who have lost a loved one, for all those who may face a diagnosis in the future, YOU are my WHY. On behalf of myself, and all of Team Anomaly, Thank you.”