Truck Melanoma! Origin story

I can't believe how far Truck Melanoma! has come since its humble beginnings. It all started during a car show, the Rigs and Coffee event, where I noticed a lack of awareness about skin cancer among the automotive and Motorsports enthusiast community. Inspired by my mentor, Dr. Glen Bowen, who always emphasized the importance of saving lives one tumor at a time, I decided to take action and honor his legacy.

Having worked alongside Dr. Bowen for years in dermatology surgery, specifically in Mohs surgery, I witnessed firsthand the impact we could make in treating basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma skin cancers. Driven by our shared love for Motorsports, motorcycles, and the thrill of racing, it became clear that I could combine my passion with a mission to raise awareness about melanoma.
With that conviction, I founded Truck Melanoma! as a nonprofit organization. Through extensive online research on how to start a non-profit and the support of my colleagues in the dermatology department, I was able to secure a $500 donation, which allowed us to purchase a truck that would serve as our race car and symbolize our commitment to fighting melanoma.

Our first major outreach event took place at the NASCAR races held at the Portland International Raceway in June 2023. Offering free skin checks, we were able to identify four potential melanomas among the attendees. The success of this event fueled my determination to continue building Truck Melanoma! and spreading our message of skin cancer awareness.

Throughout 2023, we organized five more outreach events, including the Rose Cup races, a member appreciation event at a sporting club, and even a local beer festival. The impact was significant, as we identified a total of eight potential melanomas and sixteen non-melanoma skin cancers. The enthusiasm and support from the automotive and Motorsports enthusiast community were overwhelming, inspiring us to aim higher.
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In 2024, we embarked on our first out-of-state event, the Offroad Games held in Hurricane, Utah. This event held a special significance for me, as Utah was not only my home state but also where I had worked closely with Dr. Bowen. The Offroad Games turned out to be a monumental gathering, attracting over 10,000 people and featuring prominent YouTubers with a combined subscriber count of over 30 million.

Despite the challenges of running the entire three-day outreach event solo, I was determined to make a lasting impact. Armed with over 6,200 sunscreen samples, I engaged with attendees, spreading awareness about the importance of sun protection and offering free skin checks. The response was overwhelming, and I received $1,375 in donations, a testament to the growing support for our cause.

But the highlight of the Offroad Games was the connections I made with influential YouTubers, some of whom were melanoma survivors themselves. One particular YouTuber, who had founded a non-profit foundation, expressed interest in collaborating with Truck Melanoma! to further our mission. This opportunity opened doors for future partnerships and the potential to scale our outreach nationally.

Looking back, the Utah event proved to be pivotal for Truck Melanoma!'s financial viability and expansion. The generous donations and the exposure gained from engaging with influential YouTubers set the stage for our organization's growth. With each event, we were saving lives and raising awareness about melanoma, one person at a time.

As our journey continues, I am filled with gratitude for the support and dedication of our team, the dermatology department, and the automotive and Motorsports enthusiast community. Together, we are making a difference, fulfilling Dr. Bowen's legacy, and ensuring that Truck Melanoma! becomes a beacon of hope and education for all those affected by skin cancer.

The road ahead may be long, but with the roar of engines and the determination in our hearts, Truck Melanoma! will continue to race towards a future where skin cancer is no longer a threat.