New health boost for Sunderland skin cancer battler saved by 'bad haircut'

A skin cancer fighter who says a 'bad haircut saved my life' has received another boost in his battle back to health.
Cameron Quigley, centre, with Elaine Taylor, left, and Kerry Rafferty, of MelanomaMe.Cameron Quigley, centre, with Elaine Taylor, left, and Kerry Rafferty, of MelanomaMe.
Cameron Quigley, centre, with Elaine Taylor, left, and Kerry Rafferty, of MelanomaMe.

Cameron, a regular sun bed user, needed an hour-long hospital operation in July to prevent the aggressive strain of melanoma skin cancer spreading from his flesh to his bloodstream.

Cameron Quigley, centre, with Elaine Taylor, left, and Kerry Rafferty, of MelanomaMe.Cameron Quigley, centre, with Elaine Taylor, left, and Kerry Rafferty, of MelanomaMe.
Cameron Quigley, centre, with Elaine Taylor, left, and Kerry Rafferty, of MelanomaMe.
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Doctors then discovered a swollen lymph node underneath his jaw and carried out more tests to confirm that it was just a nervous reaction to the surgery.

Now Cameron, 21, from Red House, Sunderland, has been told there is no evidence of cancer.

He said: “I have had a traumatic year which is thankfully ending happily.

“The hospital say there is nothing to concern them and think it might have been caused through the stress and impact of the surgery.

The scars following Cameron's operation.The scars following Cameron's operation.
The scars following Cameron's operation.
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“I think they were a little worried because it was the same side of my head as the mark.”

Bank fraud detection worker Cameron, 21, was left with two lengthy scars up to six inches long stretching up from near his left ear to his forehead and across the left side of his head.

While doctors cannot say for certain what caused the melanoma, he has vowed never to use a sun bed again and to always use protective sun cream in hot weather.

Cameron, a former pupil at St Robert of Newminster School, in Washington, is also still using his spare time to help the Wearside skin cancer support group which counselled him during his recovery.

The cancerous blemish uncovered by Cameron's "badhaircut".The cancerous blemish uncovered by Cameron's "badhaircut".
The cancerous blemish uncovered by Cameron's "badhaircut".
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Cameron added: “I cannot thank them enough for what they have done for me over the last six months.”

MelanomaMe was founded by friends Kerry Rafferty and Elaine Taylor after 40-year-old Kerry fought melanoma herself in 2015.

Kerry, from Harraton, in Washington, said: “We are really proud of him with the bravery he has shown and the support he has continued to give us.”

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MelanomaMe is a non-profit making company based in Columbia, Washington, and is hoping to earn charitable status next year so that it is eligible for grants.

Its main source of income is through fundraising with an annual ball taking place on Saturday, April 27, 2019, in memory of Chester-le-Street mum-of-two Amanda Seymour, 42, who died from skin cancer in August last year.

Tickets for the event at Ramside Hall, Durham City, cost £42 and further details are available from (0191) 4174500 and www.melanoma-me.org.uk.