Shane’s Story

shane avatar

In 2001 at the age of 21, while a student and basketball player at Assumption College in Worcester, MA, Shane was diagnosed with Stage 1A melanoma cancer. Shortly after this diagnosis, a wider excision was done at the Univ. of Chicago followed by a sentinel node biopsy which was negative. Shane was checked annually and remained cancer free for about 8 years. Then the "beast" returned. Since Jan. 2009, Shane has undergone several surgeries, including a brain surgery at MDA in Houston TX. He made contact with doctors in many major cancer centers and hospital. He has been on countless therapies in his search for a cure. Many of these helped Shane over the years in his 14 1/2 year melanoma journey. Shane was a fighter, and continued his battle at the NIH by participating in a clinical trial in Bethesda MD starting May 4th, 2015. He was only the 7th person ever to receive this treatment. This was probably the most difficult treatment he ever had and unfortunately, he did not have the complete response to the treatment we had hoped for. Over the summer of 2015, he was admitted to the hospital at the University of Chicago and had spent 11 weeks there with various complications, including a gram negative and a gram positive infection. However, the main issue the entire time had been the growth of the tumor in his abdomen, which grew to the size of a small watermelon. This tumor was preventing Shane from improving his status and affected not only his appetite and bodily functions, but physically incapacitated him. Shane then restarted a previous treatment, a BRAF targeted therapy similar to the one he had a positive response in 2013. We were hoping that this treatment would give Shane the opportunity to recover somewhat from the last few months in the hospital and shrink the abdominal tumor. The goal was to get him to a place where he could continue his tenacious fight against melanoma. After spending over 180 days in various hospitals and rehab units in 2015, Shane came home one final time on Dec. 24th 2015 and as you know, passed away one day later, Christmas day at 5PM.

Shane’s story is a prime example of why funding for cancer research is crucial!

Help the Cause

Join Shane's Miles for Melanoma Team and/or donate to the cause!

We'll all be participating in a 5k run/walk at Montrose Harbor on July 10th, 2016.

Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun and get your skin checked by a dermatologist! For help with prevention and early detection visit...

2016 Chicago Marathon

Join or donate to Dayna’s Chicago Marathon team supporting the American cancer Society. She'll be running October 9th, 2016!

dayna and shane

Message from Dayna:

Oops I did it again. Friends-to honor the bravest person I have ever known, I’ve registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon again. This year I’ve created Team Shanespiration within the American Cancer Society to raise money in Shane’s name. Last year I was a top 5 fundraiser within the entire organization and hope to surpass that this year. If you are so inclined to run please consider joining Team Shanespiration. If you are so inclined to donate please consider donating on my page. Shane may be gone but his legacy will live on forever. #shanespiration #melaphukanoma #chicagomarathon

Behind the Attitude

back of shanespiration shirts

700+ Shirts Sold

In 2015 Over 700 t-shirts were sold and $2,500 raised to support education in early detection and prevention of melanoma skin cancer. This was in addition to the $12,000 raised for the American Cancer Society through Dayna’s donation page.

attitude wristband

Attitude

If you're curious where the design for the shirt comes from it is inspired by Shane and some of the wonderful people who he has met through various phases of his melanoma journey.

The first picture is a post from Shane's instagram and we have taken the term attitude and run it through the melanoma awareness ribbon.

Next to that you find “You never know what you’re training for” which is a quote that Vicki, one of Shane’s favorite yoga instructors, used to say in class. Shane has said that yoga has helped him through scans and treatments where he had to remain still for extended periods of time and focus on his breathing.

shane's support group

Flat Shanespiration

Shane always talked about doing a ‘round the world trip when he was NED (no evidence of disease). To honor Shane’s adventurous and carefree spirit we are attempting to send him on this trip with #flatshanespiration.

A Letter From Shane's Sister

Hello,

Anyone can make and take a flat Shane out to the event of their choosing to honor Shane’s message of living life to the fullest with a positive ATTITUDE! Please take some pics and upload them with #flatShanespiration and then pass him (or mail him) along to someone who shares Shane’s zest for life! Please keep him moving!

Shane loved travel and adventure!

Thanks,

Colleen (Shane’s proud sister)

#flatShanespiration

#getyourskinchecked

Social Media

Follow #shanespiration on the various social networks.

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