Young Woman Loses Battle With Melanoma
Mother Hopes Story Will Prompt Others To Take Precautions
UPDATED: 7:25 pm EDT October 28,
2004
When you're young, you think you're immortal and that cancer happens to older people.Local 4's Lila Lazarus met a woman from Macomb Township who learned cancer can happen to anyone. And she wanted her story to be heard.
Angela Guenther was 23 years old when her mother spotted a mole on her back."It was black, raised, with uneven edges. I said, 'You've got to get to a dermatologist. That doesn't look good,' " said her mother Mary Jo Sights.Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer."I just heard the word cancer and that's when I was terrified," said Guenther. "I never, never thought it would happen to me. You never do," she said.There were long weeks in the hospital, while she tried to plan her wedding. A week before the ceremony, she was able to leave the hospital."It was so wonderful to be able to get her to that point. It meant so much to her. But it was so scary as to where it was going to go from there," said Sights.But Guenther wanted more than a wedding. She wanted to buy a house and have a baby.Meanwhile, melanoma was winning and spreading across her body. It was also growing tumors in her brain.Her goal was to stay alive long enough to be at her sister's wedding last month. But this week, Guenther lost her fight.Before she died, Guenther e-mailed Local 4's Lila Lazarus in hopes of sending a message to viewers."Remember how important life is and to live every day to the fullest, because you never know how long you are going to be here," she wrote.Her mother wants to remind people there is no cure for melanoma, and to protect yourself by wearing hats and sunblock. Examine your skin and get tested.She also wanted people to know how dangerous the sun can be."Everybody says it's so important to be so tan. It's not. It's important to live," said Sights.Guenther's family still owes thousands of dollars in medical bills and a fund has been set up to help the family.If you'd like to contribute:Angels for Angela c/o St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Pontiac Pontiac Federal Credit Union 44555 Woodward Ave. No. 90 Pontiac, MI 48341To sign a guestbook or to find out about services for Guenther, go to www.modetzfuneralhomes.
 HELP FAMILY If you'd like to contribute:Angels for Angela c/o St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Pontiac Pontiac Federal Credit Union 44555 Woodward Ave. No. 90 Pontiac, MI 48341 A fundraiser is set for Oct. 30 from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Canterbury Castle in Lake Orion. |
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