Magazines
| << Back |  |
Meet Your Neighbor: Stacey Escalante
By Callie Thomas
As Southern Nevada residents, it’s pretty easy to take the sun for granted. Studies have even shown the positive effects of light in relation to our mood. But just as there are two sides to every story, the sun can become a double edged sword, wrecking havoc among unsuspecting worshipers. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 68,720 new melanoma cases will have been diagnosed this year. Incidence rates for skin cancer have been increasing over the last 30 years afflicting a wide age range of people and, unless detected early, can have fatal effects. Being told you are one of those affected with this cancer is beyond devastating. On June 22, 2005, 89123 resident and former KVBC Channel 3 news reporter Stacey Escalante became one of those people.
Before her diagnosis, Stacey lived an active life and loved her job reporting on noteworthy events, including presidential visits and the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002 and meeting a long list of fascinating people. “I experienced things that most people only get to see on TV,” said Escalante. “I’m not a behind the desk type of person. I like getting out into the community and meeting people.” With her outgoing personality coupled with extraordinary strength and determination, it was no surprise that Stacey would do something that may have seemed radical to many, but would become the ultimate selfless act in helping others. Stacey documented her Stage III melanoma on television. “I felt that people needed to learn from my mistakes. I let the cameras into the operating room. I had two major surgeries, including a lymph node dissection that kept me on my back for seven weeks.” At the time, her husband Matt would bring their two year old son Will and six month old daughter Gabriella to see her on weekends in California where she had the surgeries. “Being separated from my children was one of the most difficult periods of my life,” she said. “I’ve made it my mission to get people to cover up and get their skin checked on a regular basis.” As a result of the news stories and the follow up stories, residents have told Stacey that her story inspired them to get checked and many found cancer early.
Her dedication to skin cancer detection and prevention have led her to volunteer in a variety of ways, including lobbying at the state level through The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. “I told my story to lawmakers in Carson City last year and traveled to Washington, DC to lobby our federal lawmakers to keep allocating money to cancer research. I have also told them my story and how health care reform will affect someone like me with a pre-existing condition.”
Escalante also speaks at a variety of organizations, including the Young Professionals Against Cancer and to school kids about protecting their skin. “I learned the hard way, so if I can get kids to be careful in the sun by sharing my story then maybe I can make a difference.” She is also instrumental in a newly formed group called Cover Up Nevada, which was started by State Senator Allison Copening when she lost her brother to melanoma. The group supports those that have been affected by the disease. Stacey has also spoken on behalf of the Skin Cancer Awareness Foundation who provided sun shades for local playgrounds and raised money for the American Cancer Society by running the Las Vegas half marathon last December, and is currently teaming up with dermatologist Dr. Johnnie Woodson to speak to conventions and businesses about the dangers and prevention of the disease.
Stacey Escalante continues to touch others’ lives through her own unique story. “I really believe in paying it forward. So much good has come into my life because of this bad experience. I want my kids to learn from my example.’ For more information on any of these programs, email Stacey at Stacey.Escalante.pr@gmail.com.
