Hello my name is Brett, my friends call me Shoopy. I am born and raised in Palm Springs California. For the past 30 years I have been working locally as a golf professional. Currently I am employed at Desert Willow Golf Resort and have been there since 1997. Unfortunately I have been stricken a second time now with melanoma in March 2018. After 6 years it returned, and it returned in a tumor form this time directly above my liver. The doctors and my oncologist are very concerned that it return 6 years later and that it was also located in the same general area. My medical team has concluded that the best option I have at this time is Keytruda.   Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Keytruda is given to me as a infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks for the next year and a half. Each infusion is $15,000. 

   For the past 6 years I have been hosting my skin cancer awareness golf event. I am doing my best to help others in the fight against skin cancer here in our valley. You can go to www.shoopyscramble.org for details on this amazing event. I am so thankful to have my job at Desert Willow because of so many reasons. But in my situation having insurance through my employment has helped me get through the first bout with melanoma 6 years ago. This time around the bills are becoming a little overwhelming for me to handle, even with my insurance. The Keytruda costs are quite  substantial. I have never asked for help my whole life. I have always worked so hard for all I have. This 2nd bout has become very stressful to me and I am kindly asking my friends and family for some help. I want to get these medical bills cleared up so I can continue to get healthier each day. My goal is to live a normal life again and be free of this fear. Having melanoma is terrifying and yet I realize how lucky I am each day to be alive!


            Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

                       Brett Shoopman