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January 17, 2008
An Example of an ERISA Reimbursement Travesty
January 17, 2008
Interesting News Story on Social Security
Melanoma Prevention --It Can Happen at Any Age (In Memory of David Long)
On Friday, March 28, 2008, a fine young man was taken from this world far too early from a disease that very few people take seriously--skin cancer. David Timothy Long was the son of our dear friend and legal colleague, Joan Swartz, and her husband, Jim Long. He was 19 years old.
David was first diagnosed with melanoma during his freshman year at St. John Vianney High School here in St. Louis. During the fall of his freshman year, David developed a large mole on his neck that rubbed against his shirt collar. His friends teased him about the growth, and he just wanted to have it removed. As a result, Joan made an appointment for David to see a dermatologist about having the mole removed. The dermatologist thought it was a wart and wanted to freeze it off, but David was insistent that he wanted the mole to be cut from his neck. A routine biopsy was performed on the removed mole and much to the doctor's dismay, the biopsy revealed the presence of malignant melanoma. Following the diagnosis, David traveled the country and went through several surgeries, clinical trials and therapies in an effort to fight the disease.
The next four years were full of ups and downs. Just when it appeared that a treatment was successful, the family would learn that the evil cancer was back. David did have a significant span of time where it appeared he was cancer-free, and he looked forward to attending college at Murray State University. However, David began having intestinal difficulties right when his college career began, and that is when he learned that the cancer had spread to his organs. Within six months, this evil disease took his very young life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Swartz-Long family as they grieve the loss of such a special young man.
Before David died, he made it a point to spread the word to his fellow teenagers about the dangers of skin cancer by starring in a video entitled "Get it Checked Out." The video is sponsored by the Melanoma Hope Network and is used as an educational aid by SPOTS (Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students) programs at the medical schools at St. Louis University and Washington University. Learn from David and the SPOTS program about the risks and warning signs of skin cancer. It could save the life of you or someone you love.
If you have a teenager, honor the memory of David Long and show your teen THE SPOTS VIDEO.
Learn about David:
