Patty Pophal Shares Her Daughter’s Melanoma Story During Melanoma Awareness Month

Guest blog post by Patty Pophal, melanoma advocate and MRF supporter: 

GRACE POPHAL IS A DAUGHTER, SISTER, FAMILY MEMBER, PARTNER, AND FRIEND. A LIFELONG COMPETITIVE SWIMMER, SHE ENTERED OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY IN THE FALL OF 2010 AS A DIVISION I SWIMMER WITH A LIFETIME OF POSSIBILITIES AHEAD OF HER.

During her time at school she struggled more than ever, no one could figure out why. In October of 2015, we received our answer, and it could not have been worse. After experiencing prolonged and severe back pain and migraines, a doctor’s appointment was made and chest x-rays were performed. Within a week, Grace was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. Five tumors were found in her brain, while her back pain was caused by a tumor wrapped around her vena cava putting significant pressure on her spinal cord. Tumors were also found in seven of her other organs. Subsequent treatment with radiation caused swelling, and Grace underwent emergency brain surgery to remove the two largest tumors causing pressure on her brain. By November 2015, we weren’t sure what the future held for Grace. Grace was treated with targeted therapy and hospitalized several times with side effects, but her tumors decreased significantly in size, and she was stable enough to be treated with combination immunotherapy (Ipilimumab and Nivolumab). A second brain surgery was performed in June 2016. The surgery was a success, and in October 2016, Grace started her first course of immunotherapy treatment. Grace was treated with immunotherapy for almost two years but developed severe side effects and had to discontinue treatment. Grace was never completely cancer free and in 2022 we found out that the cancer was on the move again. The doctors tried different immunotherapy drugs but had to walk a fine line since Grace was experiencing rare autoimmune issues. The cancer wouldn’t let go of Gracie and in June 2023, she entered a trial in Pittsburgh that didn’t work, and she succumbed to the cancer on July 7, 2023. Our lives were torn apart by the loss of our daughter, and I promised that I would do whatever it takes to raise funds for research because no parent should have to lose a child to this cancer. It is horrible to watch melanoma take someone loved by so many, her family, her husband/partner and her friends. It is TRAGEDY at its worst.

How we came to find out about the Melanoma Research Foundation: my sister, Chris, donated in honor of Grace in 2015 and this prompted our daughter to investigate the information made available for patients, caregivers and family members. Grace read about the Miles for Melanoma event and expressed that she would like to participate in the event in Columbus. That is all I needed to hear from my daughter, I would move heaven and earth for her. So, in 2016 we formed Team Grace, and we were the largest team and fundraiser at the Columbus Miles event. I was approached by MRF staff at the event and told them that if they would move the event to Cleveland, I would work to grow it and the rest is history. The event here in Cleveland has grown significantly each year and in 2023, Cleveland was ranked #1 nationally in attendance and fundraising. This is testament to my beautiful child and the melanoma community here in Cleveland.