Join Shanon's Fight Against Cancer

Hello, my name is Shanon Brown. I am 42 years old and currently fighting Stage 3 Melanoma Cancer. I previously had 2 immunotherapy treatments and then had surgery at UT on April 10, 2025. The melanoma started at my belly button but then started spreading to my left arm and armpit.

The cancer had also started attacking the lymph nodes in my armpit as well, so they had to remove all of them. On Good Friday, my oncologist called to give me my results (since the surgery), and unfortunately, they were not successful in getting all the cancer. I had some lymph nodes that they removed that were still showing the cancer was still active as well. We knew this could be a possibility of not being able to get all the cancer during the surgery, and that is why I was going to continue the immunotherapy after the fact, but little did we know that my body wasn't responding to the treatments at all. I am now having to take Tafinlar and Mekinist. The side effects have been absolutely horrible, but I am keeping my faith! I get to start physical therapy on my arm in 2 more weeks, so I am excited for that! My arm gives me a lot of trouble now. My oncologist's main concern is that the cancer doesn't spread to my brain. They plan to do a scan in about 3 months to see how my body is responding to the medication, so please keep me in your prayers.

I currently work for the Post Office in Maryville and really don't know when or if I will be able to return. I currently have an 11-year-old daughter and a son who is graduating from high school on the 20th of this month. No mother wants her children to have to see her sick; that, for me, has been the hardest part of all. Medical bills are coming daily as well as life in general, so if anyone has it in their heart to donate to me, I would be very grateful! And if not, just putting me in your prayers is even better!!