Eye Cancer Walk on May 18
May marks Ocular Melanoma Awareness Month. And on Saturday, May 18, there will be a walk on the boardwalk to support this cause and those who battle this cancer.
On May 18 at 9:30 a.m., head to Beach 86th Street and the boardwalk to participate in this 5K walk. This event is being organized by the Gallagher family as local resident Casey Gallagher battles this rare eye cancer. Shirts can be purchased for $20 by sending a Venmo payment and your t-shirt size to @Courtney-Gallagher-8
Ocular melanoma is a rare type of eye cancer that occurs when the melanocytes in the eye become cancerous. Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to your eyes, skin and hair. The most notable sign is a dark spot on the iris that grows over time.
Although rare, ocular melanoma is the most common type of eye cancer in adults. It occurs in five out of every one million adults under 50 each year. In adults over 50, the incidence increases to more than 20 cases per million each year.
