The Colin Bloomfield Appeal is now closed and no further donations can be accepted. Please contact Marie.Tudor@skcin.org for information regarding outstanding donations and/or monies for the Skcin/appeal. Thank you.

Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with melanoma now one of the biggest cancer killers in the 15-34 age group. Despite the continued and dramatic increase of this devastating disease, over 80% of all cases are preventable.  The Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal is working with Skcin to make Derbyshire and East Staffordshire the 'Sun Safe Capital' of the UK. By supporting Skcin with a bespoke version of the national Sun Safe Schools Accreditations scheme the appeal aims to reach hundreds of children and parents and educate them about sun safety and skin awareness and most importantly to save lives!

My melanoma story started when I was 21. The signs had been there for a few weeks, a mole on my thigh had changed colour, shape and size. I should have been concerned, but wasn't. It was my mum who persuaded me to get it checked out by a doctor.

On New Years Eve 2001, a dermatologist confirmed it was skin cancer. I was terrified. At that age, you're invincible. Or so you think. 

The cancer was cut out at a hospital in Birmingham. Regular check-ups followed and with no recurrence during five years of visits, I was effectively discharged.

My life continued. I achieved a 2:1 University degree in journalism, bought my first house and began presenting the BBC Radio Derby Breakfast programme. 

Life was good, I was cancer free. Healthy and happy.

One morning though, that changed. I woke up to discover a lump under my groin. 10 years after my first visit there, I returned to the hospital where I'd been treated.

I was told the cancer had come back, it was stage 4 and it was as bad as it could get. No cure and shockingly poor survival rates. The doctors assured me there were new treatments available and I shouldn't give up hope. I'll be honest, those felt like empty words.

18 months from that day I'm still here to tell my tale and without those new treatments that wouldn't be the case. I still have cancer and it's also spread to my brain. Last May I was told I'd have 'months' to live. My doctor repeated that dire prognosis in November. 

But, I'm still here. I'm working, going out with friends, to the football and gym. Life is pretty normal. Or so it seems anyway. Sometimes I wonder whether those scans with the tumours on are actually mine and there's not been a terrible mistake. Wishful thinking.

I haven't given up hope of a 'miracle' cure. The longer this disease can be kept stable, the more chance I have of that happening. 

That's why this appeal is so important. It's often perceived that skin cancer 'isn't that serious.' It is. For people in my position, it's often described as a death sentence. 

But with medical advances and vital education on sun safety and early detection,it doesn't have to be. New groundbreaking treatments are being introduced all the time giving fresh hope to patients and their families. 

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