A LETTER FROM CANCER SURVIVOR: DEREK GIVENS

My name is Derek Givens and I am a Cancer Survivor of Malignant Melanoma. In 1998, I was diagnosed with an extremely poor prognosis two years after I got married. With my whole life ahead of me, I had no idea where to turn. I was scared, but I knew I wanted to fight this disease. I eventually found the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica. Dr. Morton was just starting a cutting edge therapy for people like me and developed taking actual melanoma cells and splicing them and injecting them back into cancer to fight it. After pretty invasive surgery, I have been over ten years clean. The foundation was strong then, and stronger now constantly searching for better ways to combat this horrendous killer. I am so happy and grateful for what the foundation has done not only for me but for others who are searching for help. I am now cancer-free, still married to the love of my life with two amazing children. I take the “Block The Blaze” cause very seriously and do my best to spread awareness of how dangerous the sun can be. Wear Sunscreen, and reapply. Be active, Be healthy, and spread the word.

Thank You,
Derek Givens