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Just three weeks after welcoming her daughter into the world, Melissa Kultgen was diagnosed with Stage 2C melanoma—after four doctors told her the spot on her lip was “nothing to worry about.”
In this powerful episode of Act to Impact, host Brandi DeVries sits down with Melissa, now seven years cancer-free, and Debbie Churgai, Education Program Manager at the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), to talk about why trusting your instincts matters, how early sun damage impacts lifelong health, and why prevention starts in childhood.
Melissa shares her journey from growing up in toxic tanning culture to becoming a melanoma survivor, educator, and ambassador for SunAware, MRF’s free K–5 sun safety curriculum. Together, they unpack practical ways families can protect their skin, build confidence, and teach kids that sun safety is about celebrating your skin—not fearing the sun.
✨ Key Takeaways
- You are your best health advocate. If something looks or feels off, trust your instincts and act quickly.
- Most sun damage happens before age 18, making early education critical in melanoma prevention.
- Monthly self-skin checks using the ABCDEs of melanoma can catch changes earlier than annual exams alone.
- Sun safety is a daily habit, just like brushing your teeth—not just a summer thing.
- SunAware empowers kids to protect their skin while feeling confident, capable, and proud of who they are.
- Advocacy doesn’t have to be big—small actions can create powerful ripple effects in your community.
🎯 Act to Impact Call to Action
Want to turn awareness into action?
👉 Explore the FREE SunAware program from the Melanoma Research Foundation—available to parents, schools, youth groups, and communities nationwide.
👉 Use it at home to teach your kids simple, lifelong sun-safe habits.
👉 Share it with your child’s teacher, school nurse, principal, or local youth organization.
🔗 Learn more and access the curriculum for SunAWARE.
💛 Are you inspired to take action? Take action and make an impact on a child affected by childhood cancer. Support the much-needed funding for childhood cancer by making a donation NOW to CCRF!
Subscribe and Follow: Don’t miss an episode! New episodes drop every other Wednesday.
Hosted by Brandi DeVries: Advocate, fundraiser, and former Mrs. Minnesota International 2025.
Thank you to guest Melissa Kultgen.
STAY CONNECTED.
IG: instagram.com/brandi.devries
Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Watch now.
SPOTIFY
View all episodes
By Brandi DeVriesSend a text
Just three weeks after welcoming her daughter into the world, Melissa Kultgen was diagnosed with Stage 2C melanoma—after four doctors told her the spot on her lip was “nothing to worry about.”
In this powerful episode of Act to Impact, host Brandi DeVries sits down with Melissa, now seven years cancer-free, and Debbie Churgai, Education Program Manager at the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), to talk about why trusting your instincts matters, how early sun damage impacts lifelong health, and why prevention starts in childhood.
Melissa shares her journey from growing up in toxic tanning culture to becoming a melanoma survivor, educator, and ambassador for SunAware, MRF’s free K–5 sun safety curriculum. Together, they unpack practical ways families can protect their skin, build confidence, and teach kids that sun safety is about celebrating your skin—not fearing the sun.
✨ Key Takeaways
- You are your best health advocate. If something looks or feels off, trust your instincts and act quickly.
- Most sun damage happens before age 18, making early education critical in melanoma prevention.
- Monthly self-skin checks using the ABCDEs of melanoma can catch changes earlier than annual exams alone.
- Sun safety is a daily habit, just like brushing your teeth—not just a summer thing.
- SunAware empowers kids to protect their skin while feeling confident, capable, and proud of who they are.
- Advocacy doesn’t have to be big—small actions can create powerful ripple effects in your community.
🎯 Act to Impact Call to Action
Want to turn awareness into action?
👉 Explore the FREE SunAware program from the Melanoma Research Foundation—available to parents, schools, youth groups, and communities nationwide.
👉 Use it at home to teach your kids simple, lifelong sun-safe habits.
👉 Share it with your child’s teacher, school nurse, principal, or local youth organization.
🔗 Learn more and access the curriculum for SunAWARE.
💛 Are you inspired to take action? Take action and make an impact on a child affected by childhood cancer. Support the much-needed funding for childhood cancer by making a donation NOW to CCRF!
Subscribe and Follow: Don’t miss an episode! New episodes drop every other Wednesday.
Hosted by Brandi DeVries: Advocate, fundraiser, and former Mrs. Minnesota International 2025.
Thank you to guest Melissa Kultgen.
STAY CONNECTED.
IG: instagram.com/brandi.devries
Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Watch now.
SPOTIFY