Nevus Outreach News Archives

Megan Fields: Growing into her most important role

Megan Fields, 33, splits her work week between teaching public speaking at the University of Tennessee and serving as Director of Development for Nevus Outreach, Inc.  But her most important role, perhaps, is serving essentially as a role model for the young people in the Nevus Family and showing them that they absolutely can have a full and happy life and they can thrive.

Band-Aides and Blackboards: A platform for kids to step out of the shadows

Having been immersed in pediatric nursing for many years, Joan Fleitas, EdD, RN, knew kids with medical problems wanted people to know their conditions do not define who they are.  She designed Band-Aides and Blackboards to communicate this central fact to youngsters, parents, teachers, and health professionals.

Ambitious UK Gal to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro to Raise Money for Nevus Research

Until she was 16, in 1996, Jodi Unsworth thought she was the only person in the world with a giant congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN).  It was then, however, that she met pediatric dermatologist David Atherton, MD, of the Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London.  Atherton was the leading CMN skin specialist in the UK and it was he who first gave a name to the rare skin condition Unsworth had been born with and told her she was not alone.

Managing Your Worrying — And Why This Might be a Worthy Goal

In December 2004, a landmark research study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences that linked psychological stress to premature aging for the very first time. Specifically, health psychologist Elissa Epel, PhD, and her colleagues, made the stunning discovery that the telomeres in the cells of chronically high stressed women were about 13 years older, on average, than the telomeres of low stress women.

“Searching to Conquer” Funded through 2011

We are pleased to announce we have secured the funding for another year of our largest ongoing scientific research project “Searching to Conquer” being conducted by Dr. Bernhard Wehrle-Haller at the University of Geneva.

2011 International Expert Meeting Brief Summary

At the largest assembly of experts on large nevi and patients affected by them, in Tübingen, Germany, on May 6-8, over 100 people met to discuss current topics in scientific research and patient care.

2011 International Expert Meeting for Large Congenital Melanocytic Nevi and Neurocutaneous Melanocytosis Resounding Success

Nearly 100 health care professionals and patient advocates met at the University of Tübingen, in Germany, on Friday through Sunday, May 6-8, to discuss the research, management, and possible future therapies for individuals with a large congenital melanocytic nevus (LCMN) and neurocutaneous melanocytosis (NCM). A major focus as well was to provide psychological support for families.

Finding Answers About Large Congenital Melanocytic Nevi

In hospitals around the world, physicians and researchers are pondering how some cells in a developing embryo grow into a large congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN).  Most especially, they wonder what they can do about it, when a child is born with one.

Six Nevus Gatherings

During non-conference years (2011, 2013) it has becoming a tradition to have nevus gatherings in various parts of the country. These mostly social get-togethers give families a chance to share stories, play, talk about the latest developments and build camaraderie around our cause.

Welcome Kent Blount

Did you know Kent Blount joined the staff of Nevus Outreach in December? It's been a big year, with notable events taking place on all fronts: support, education and research. Our needs in the office are not getting smaller, so when Carolyn Glass announced she had taken a new job, we reorganized our precious resources and created a full-time position for a new Office Manager.

Nevus Outreach Welcomes Science Journalist Pat McAdams

In our effort to provide the best content possible, you may have noticed a new name in our bylines. Patricia McAdams, or “Pat” as we are coming to know her, is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years experience writing scientific and medical copy for a general audience.

Four Nevus Families Reunited

Six months ago, we were strangers; today, we are the best of friends. Four families have come together in a strange city, all to face a challenge we never would have imagined. But as we have learned, blessings arise in disguise so many times, and the one here is obvious—truly wonderful friendships.

Donor Challenge Met!

Earlier this month, The Morgan Family Foundation issued a 2 to 1 challenge to the donors of Nevus Outreach. Great news! We have surpassed our goal of $67,500. A huge "thank you" to everyone who helped us achieve this!

Find Nevus Outreach on Facebook

Nevus outreach has expanded its web presence to Facebook. Faceboo­k is a free social networking service connecting individuals to their friends. The new Nevus Outreach Facebook Page provides us with a fun, relevant platform to update the Nevus Community about all sorts of news related to Nevus. On our Facebook Page, you can contribute photos and comments, meet others within the Nevus Community and keep in touch with old friends.

To New Parents of a Child With a Nevus: Keeping Vigil

The birth of our baby is among the most sacred and joyous occasions that any of us who are parents will ever experience. But when our little one arrives unexpectedly with a stunning congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), some of our euphoria may be swallowed up by unspeakable sadness and fear — and so many questions.

Danielle Stamatiou Installed as New Board Chair

Board member Danielle Stamatiou of Toronto, Canada has officially stepped in as the new Board Chair for Nevus Outreach. The baton was passed from outgoing Chairman Pierre Gremillion during the 2010 International Nevus Outreach Conference, held July 7-10 in Westlake, TX.

American Way Magazine Article Highlights Dean Rogers

Dean Rogers likes to study a subject until he understands it fully. Case in point: his knowledge of aircraft engines. Rogers began at American more than 21 years ago as a line mechanic, progressed to a systems mechanic, then transferred to the engine shop, where he is a Crew Chief in charge of mechanics who overhaul engines for Boeing 757s and 777s.

Donor Challenge Issued

It’s official: our wonderful supporters The Morgan Family Foundation have issued a challenge to the donors of Nevus Outreach: for every dollar you give to Nevus Outreach before December 31, they will give two dollars! They will do this up to $45,000.00 – meaning our goal is to raise $22,500.00 from everyone else, making our end-of-year fund drive goal $67,500.00.

Total Body Photography (TBP)

In July, we engaged Canfield Scientific's Derma-Trak Imaging Systems, probably the most highly respected Total Body Photography (TBP) providers in the country, to come to our 2010 conference in Texas and make this service available to anyone in attendance.  TBP is a medically prescribed procedure which dermatologists use to help them keep track of the appearance of facets of the skin.  In the case of large nevi, which are supposed to be "watched for changes," TBP is currently the only way you can tell if a pigmented lesion has changed.

The 2010 International Nevus Outreach Conference Memory DVD is now available!

We hope you enjoy the highlights from the 2010 Nevus Outreach International Conference, held in Westlake, TX. On the 28-minute video, you will surely see familiar faces...

Welcome to the new Nevus Outreach website!

We have striven to make this website a valuable resource to people affected by large congenital nevus. We hope you will use this website to keep up to date on the latest nevus medical news and all of the happenings at Nevus Outreach.