In Memory of Christopher Charles Duffield

Guest blog from Chris Duffield’s best friend Mark, his mother Charlotte and his support dog Ben:

Christopher, known as Chris, was a friend, son and brother of the best kind. He always had a hand out to support a friend or family member and a kind word to say to all. He lived a positive life and always looked at the “glass half full.”

Chris was compassionate and understanding, but very headstrong in his beliefs. He always battled for others. He was the welcoming smile to new students in school even as early as junior high. He forged friendships that are still in existence today, many years later. He loved his brother and sister with all his heart. When they were all adults, he made sure he spent as much time with his nieces and nephews, he was so proud of all of them!

When he was in his late 30s, he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine, but can also affect other parts of the body like shoulders, hips, knees, neck and pelvis. If left untreated it causes spinal fusion and immobility. Unfortunately, it was not diagnosed early enough to stop the impact before some damage had occurred. His treatment was able to slow down the progression, but the disease did cause him many difficulties and pain. He fought back by trying to be fit and healthy as much as he could and strengthen muscles to help with the affected joints. While doing so, Chris became a full-time fitness coach with Beachbody corporation.

He always had companion dogs or cats and called them his fur babies. In fact, after his diagnosis is when he found Ben (possibly was a godsend knowing how much he’d need Ben). Ben quickly became his support and service dog, helping him with his daily struggles of balance, walking, and companionship in general.

When he was diagnosed with melanoma, it was represented by one small sore resembling an infected ant bite, later finding out it was stage four. He underwent surgery to remove the cancer and lymph nodes to stop the spread. It seemed to be successful at the time. Of course, Ben was at his side the whole way.

Treating melanoma cancer is difficult when one has an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorder treatments must suppress the immune system to stop the progression of it. Cancer treatments must build up the immune system to fight cancer.

Mela-No-More Golf Tournament:

“April 16, 2018, I lost my first-born son Christopher. My husband, Bob and I watched as he fought this battle with melanoma for 26 months (about 2 years). We wanted to keep Chris’s name alive and didn’t want any other Mom or Dad and family to go through this.

After looking for ways and other dedicated organizations we found Melanoma Research Foundation.

But how can we raise funds?  Chris’s younger brother, Mark wrote and published a short story to give to family. It was Chris’s journey through this 26-month ordeal through the eyes of his service dog named Ben. “My Name is Ben” became the first fundraiser. With each donation to MRF, we mailed a copy of this booklet as a thank you.

As time passed, we wanted a bigger fundraiser, and Chris was a big golfer. The whole family consists of avid golfers, and that seemed to be the perfect fundraiser for us. Mela-No-More,18 Holes to Find a Cure was born. The first year netted just over $7,500. The second year netted over $11,600. Win/Win!

We dream of this tournament and its name raising funds for MRF all over the country at many different Golf Clubs. It’s so much fun to raise so much money and make a difference in melanoma research!

Chris was a true warrior and we as his family are continuing his fight. If our small contribution can make a difference, educate, spread awareness and help fund the new research we have accomplished what we set out to do. His name will continue to inspire others.” – Bob and Charlotte Merriam

Help Chris’s family and friends continue his legacy and support melanoma research!