Men & CMN: The Way We Carry It- Nevus Dad, Kenny Price's Story

When Kenny Price first held his newborn son Charlie, he was immediately faced with a reality he never expected.

Charlie was born with a giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN) and numerous satellite nevi. Although the medical team recognized the condition, few had ever seen a child with CMN in person. The uncertainty surrounding the diagnosis quickly overshadowed what should have been one of the happiest moments of Kenny and his wife Mundy's lives.

"Our neonatologist knew what Charlie had, but he'd never personally seen it," Kenny recalled. "He brought a textbook to our hospital room to show us what it was."

In that moment, Kenny realized just how rare Charlie's diagnosis truly was.

The early days were filled with fear. Like many parents receiving a rare disease diagnosis, Kenny and Mundy were confronted with worst-case scenarios and unanswered questions.

"There was a lot of fear," Kenny said. "Fear of the unknown and fear for his health."

Finding Hope Through Knowledge

Everything began to change when the family connected with Nevus Outreach and Dr. Jeffrey Marcus at Duke University.

For the first time, they were receiving guidance from people who truly understood CMN. Instead of focusing solely on potential complications, they were given a clearer picture of what life with CMN could look like.

As Kenny learned more about the condition, the fear that had dominated those first months slowly began to fade.

"The more I learned, the more comfortable I became with CMN. This allowed me to be a better father."

The family's focus shifted from worrying about what might happen to helping Charlie thrive.

The Surgery Years

Charlie's childhood included an extensive medical journey.

Over the years, he underwent 19 surgeries at Duke University, requiring countless five-hour trips between the

family's home in Greenwood, South Carolina, and Durham, North Carolina.

Along the way, Kenny's role as a father expanded far beyond what he had imagined. He learned how to fill tissue expanders, remove stitches, and change dressings. Medical terminology, treatment plans, and post-operative care became part of everyday life.

The experience taught him lessons that extended well beyond the hospital walls.

"Fatherhood gives you a perspective and makes you develop the tools necessary to understand that there are things that are truly out of your control," he said.

Patience, adaptability, and resilience became essential tools throughout the journey. Each surgery brought new challenges, but it also reinforced the family's determination to keep moving forward together.

Helping Charlie Build Confidence

While the surgeries and medical procedures were difficult, the emotional challenges of growing up with CMN proved even harder. As Charlie became more aware of the world around him, he began noticing the differences between himself and other children.

"Watching Charlie go through a time period when he was young and realized that he didn't look like everyone else and was questioning why. My heart broke for him."

Rather than trying to shield Charlie from the world, Kenny and Mundy made a deliberate choice to help him engage with it.

"We didn't try to hide him from anyone," Kenny said. "We took him out in public from the time he was an infant."

Charlie participated in Scouts, church activities, sports, and everyday experiences alongside his peers. The family never wanted CMN to define him.

That decision paid off. Over the years, Charlie was welcomed by classmates, teammates, and friends who saw far more than his appearance.

"His friends have always said that they don't even 'see' his CMN," Kenny shared. "They always say it's just Charlie."

Strength Through Family, Faith, and Friendship

Throughout Charlie's childhood, Kenny often felt the responsibility of being strong for both his wife and sons.

"There was a lot of fear early on and I felt that I had to be strong for Mundy and Charlie."

Over time, however, he learned that strength is not about carrying every burden alone.

When Charlie was just six months old and preparing for his first surgery, the family found a church home that would become an important source of support. Their church community, along with close friendships and family, helped them navigate the challenges ahead.

"The strength I've gleaned from my faith and our church family, who've had a huge part in raising our three boys, is invaluable to me."

Today, Kenny's understanding of strength looks very different than it did when Charlie was born.

"Before this journey I always associated strength with being physically strong," he said. "Now I realize that true strength lies in how you show up for your family every day."

It is a lesson forged through years of uncertainty, perseverance, and love. And after watching Charlie grow into a confident young man, Kenny knows that strength is often found in the simple act of showing up, day after day, for the people who matter most.

Watching Charlie Thrive

Today, Charlie is 22 years old.

He is a college graduate working in sports and entertainment management, living in Charleston, South Carolina, and building a life of his own. He has been in a committed relationship for nearly four years and continues to approach life with the same confidence and resilience that his parents worked so hard to nurture.

"We don't see him as much now that he is 'adulting' 3.5 hours away from home," Kenny said. "But we talk on the phone regularly. It has been an absolute joy to watch him grow up."

For Kenny, watching Charlie step into adulthood is a reminder of just how far they've come since those uncertain days in the hospital. The fear that once surrounded Charlie's diagnosis has been replaced by pride as he watches his son build a life filled with opportunity, independence, and purpose.

Looking back, Kenny wishes he could reassure the frightened father he once was with a simple message: be patient and have hope. Charlie's life stands as proof that a CMN diagnosis does not define a child's future. And for Kenny, that may be the greatest lesson of all.