Keeping someone’s memory alive is a big responsibility, but Sarah Lomax Gray has done it with caring and compassion since 2012 when her close friend Lauren Savoy Olinde passed away at age 27 of skin cancer. Friends and family created the LSO Foundation in her honor to promote skin cancer awareness and education.
As co-founder, Sarah’s efforts focused on educating women’s groups, especially those with young members. Sitting in the audience during her visit to LSU’s Kappa Alpha Theta in 2014 was Adele Wiggins Butler, a 21-year-old junior.
As Sarah showed pictures and spoke about the warning signs of skin cancer, Adele felt a twinge of uneasiness. A few months earlier, she had noticed a small mole about the size of a pencil eraser on her lower back.
“I had started a jogging class and whenever I ran, I could feel my shorts rubbing against it,” she said. “I had never been to a dermatologist before, but Sarah’s talk made me realize it was time. Her words were compelling enough to make me pick up the phone and schedule an appointment that week.”
In the doctor’s office, Adele remembers acting a bit nonchalant. After all, she was concerned, not really worried. But before the visit was over, the words “biopsy,” “melanoma” and “surgery” hung in the air.
“It was terrifying … overwhelming … I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I was immediately scheduled for surgery. They removed the melanoma and excised a lot of the tissue surrounding it to make sure it hadn’t spread. Fortunately, I didn’t need further surgery, but I examine my skin every month or so and see my dermatologist regularly.”
Adele believes that Sarah’s presentation quite possibly saved her life. “I’ve often thought to myself, ‘what if I had ignored it? I admit I’m a procrastinator at times. How long might I have waited before it was too late?’”
The biggest lesson she has learned, Adele says, is to be proactive and to practice prevention before a problem occurs. “Young people rarely think they are at risk, but I was just 21 and it happened to me.”
The LSO Foundation has moved to the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation as an Endowment Fund, but Sarah remains involved and expects to be a lifelong advocate for skin cancer awareness.
“When I think of Adele, I see a mirror image of Lauren,” she says. “They are so much alike—both graduates of St. Joseph’s Academy and LSU, both young, beautiful, happy and excited for the future. But Lauren’s life was cut short while Adele’s was saved. Adele caught her cancer in time, so she has a wonderful life ahead of her … and that is Lauren’s legacy.”
Early detection and common myths
According to the American Cancer Society, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that most types of skin cancer are highly treatable if detected early.
Dermatologist Dr. Mary Dobson encourages her patients to examine their skin on a regular basis, know the warning signs of skin cancer and be aware of common myths. “For instance, it’s not true that only those with fair skin are at risk,” Dr. Dobson says. “People of any color can get skin cancer on any area of the body that has pigmented cells.”
And sunburn isn’t reserved for bright, sunny days. “Overcast days are just as likely to have dangerous UV rays,” she says. “So wearing sunscreen is important even while you’re driving in your car or sitting near a window indoors.” She suggests using products with SPF30 or higher to be on the safe side. If you notice a suspicious spot on your skin, don’t wait. Schedule a visit with your dermatologist to discuss your concerns.
Dobson says you should consult your dermatologist if you notice any of these common warning signs:
• A sudden change in the size, shape, texture or color of a mole.
• A lesion that is slow to heal over several weeks or an area on your skin that bleeds for no apparent reason.
• A new mole or one that stands out in comparison to others.
If you’d like more information on the Lauren Savoy Olinde Endowment or would like to contact Sarah Gray, email her at sunsafetysarah@gmail.com or visit Marybirdfoundation.org/laurensavoyolinde.
