Testimonial 2006

Nags Head, North Carolina June 16, 2006

Dr. Jose,
 
    I had the pleasure of meeting you and listening to your talk and the testimonial about skin cancer at the 2004 Pirates Cove Fishing School. Unfortunately, I did not ask you to screen me when I was there. Six months later I was diagnosed with Melanoma. A mole on the left side of my neck was shaved off and found to be melanoma. I had my first surgery at John Hopkins in September 2004. Dr. Joseph Califano removed the rest of the mole, surrounding tissue and two lymph nodes that showed up during the nuclear biopsy. Dr. Califano sent me to Dr. William Sharfman for follow up and Dr. Sharfman did some blood screening to see if there were any vaccine programs I could get into. I didn't have the right blood markers for the vaccine programs so he said we would just keep an eye on things.
    In February I felt a knot in my neck on the same side that the mole had been removed from. I had a needle biopsy done and yes, more melanoma. Dr. Califano removed all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck and did a P.E.T. scan and we thought we had it.
    I had radiation treatment on the site in march, but I had a small knot pop up on the top of my head and in May another needle biopsy revealed more melanoma. One more surgery and another scan revealed spots on my liver, lungs, and lymph nodes under my left arm. The day Dr. Califano gave me that news was a grim one, but he said " you are young (50 yrs) and in good health, now is not the time to give up. I didn't.
    Dr. Sharfman put me in for four treatment of IL-2 starting in July 2005 thru September 2005. After the four treatments the liver and lung spots were completely gone, but there was still some trace in my lymph nodes. He put me in for two more treatments and in January 2006 my scan came back completely clean. I was just scanned again in may and still in remission, thank The Lord and all the good Doctors and Nurses at Hopkins.
    I guess since The Good Lord has given me a second chance at life I don't want to waste it, so my question to You is - is there something I can do or some way I can help CATCH CANCER ? If I could afford to I would devote all my time to spreading the word and helping those who have to fight the fight.
    Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help !! Thanks again for what you are doing.
 
                                        Sincerely,
 
                                    Kent R. Brinckmeyer
  

Responses from other volunteer dermatologists 

Jose:
 
The story goes to show how important it is to spread the word and your organization is an excellent venue. 
 
 I was recently in the airport in the bahamas talking to a fellow fisherman when his wife found out I was a dermatologist. She was complaining of a cyst on her husbands back.  I said sure let me take a look and as he lifted up his shirt, It was not the cyst that caught my attenion, but a melanoma on his back.  WIthin a  week he had it biopsied and drove down to Jupiter from Orlando to have me excise it.
 
 You never know when the person sitting next to you could be harboring a melanoma and has never had or sought the opportunity to be screened. Keep up the great work with the excellent education and screenings. Keep me in mind for the future events.  
 
Ricardo
 
Ricardo Mejia M.D.
Board Certified, Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery
Board Certifed, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery
Jupiter Dermatology and Hair Restoration
2101 US Hwy One
Jupiter Florida 33477
Tel 561-748-0510 Email: skinandhairdoc@aol.com
www.skinandhairdoc.com

 

DESPITE THE ODDS, CATCH CANCER KEEPS ON CATCHING!

http://www.hatterasyachts.com/pdf/letters.pdf

Hatteras, North Carolina June 27, 2004

LETTERS

Caught Cancer,

Before It Was Too Late

 

I would like to thank you for stepping up as the primary sponsor of Dr. Jose Acostamadiedo and his Catch Cancer Before It’s Too Late organization at this year’s Hatteras Marlin Club Tournament. I am a sport fishing artist and was exhibiting at the tournament, as I have done for the past five years.

 

As Jose set up next to me to conduct his free screenings, at first I thought “who is this guy?” as he plowed in next to me with all these pamphlets, forms, shirts and banners. Finally, I decided to sign up and get screened. Living in Hatteras and always being in the sun, I thought ... why not?

 

Jose screened me and found a few suspicious moles. At his suggestion I made

arrangements to see a dermatologist. I was shocked! Three of the five biopsies came back atypical and require excision.

 

I felt compelled to write you and let you know how grateful I am for your support of Dr. Acostamadiedo and his work. Who knows what the outcome would have been without his free screening?

 — Karen Rhodes, Hatteras, North Carolina

 

CATCH CANCER'S LATEST CATCH

Manteo, North Carolina March 13, 2004

Outer Banks Fishing guide gives testimonial at Pirates Cove Fishing School.

During the lunch break at the Pirate's Cove Fishing School, Captain Brian DeHart, a well known inshore guide from the Outer Banks, gave his testimonial to the alumni of the fishing school. In an emotional moment during the lunch break Capt. Marty Brill Chief Instructor of the School introduced Capt. DeHart and Dr. Jose Acostamadiedo, both of which were instructors that day. Capt. DeHart gave thanks to God for the providential turn of events on New Year's eve 2003 when he flagged down Dr. Acostamadiedo in his car after he saw the Catch Cancer Before It's Too Late sign on his truck. Dr. Acostamadiedo stopped and Brian introduced himself and asked when the next screening would be. Knowing that the next event would not be till the summer, Dr Acostamadiedo offered to screen him right there. Capt. DeHart showed him the lesion in his left arm, and said "He looked me straight in the eyes and told me " I do not like how this looks this is probably a Melanoma and it needs to come off, call me or I will call you after New year's day and I will make the arrangements". Four days later the biopsy was performed and it came back positive for melanoma. Brian was referred to East Carolina University where wide margin excision and sentinel node biopsy were performed  and the results were excellent, the lymph nodes were negative and now we have another happy fishing story! for information on how a skin cancer screening can save your life, please contact Catch Cancer Before It's Too late, Inc.

Just a note with another Catch Cancer success:

Dear Jose:

My brother-in-law, Capt. Dave Graham of Easy Rider fame, was screened at the Catch Cancer Booth three years ago. Unfortunately he didn't see a dermatologist, as was suggested immediately, until last week... The spot your group found was removed and a biopsy was done - the tests came back today as basal cell carcinoma and the doctors are confident they got it all (the surrounding cells were clean). Sometimes it's hard to believe that a skin cancer screening could be ignored but thankfully Dave is fine and perhaps he will use his "hardheadedness" for some good regarding screenings in the future!

Much love, kiss that baby, Teresa, Olivia and especially Marlin for me!

Heather Maxwell, Tournament Director Pirate's Cove Big Game Tournaments Oregon Inlet, NC

USA

Dr. Acostamadiedo,

Thanks for returning my email. My name is Roberta Seay, and my husband is Doug Seay. I have to tell you, your talk on melanoma made a huge impact on my husband. I have preached for years about wearing sunblock, and a hat and my advice has fallen on deaf ears. ( and I am a nurse) but hearing it from a fellow fisherman did the trick ! Thanks again.

Roberta

USA

Jose,

Received new tape this week, thanks. Great tape. I have watched it 3 times already. A lot to learn about Blue Marlin and all billfish. This tape can really pump you up. Passed tape to one of my fishing partners and he called me that night and said he E-mailed to get prices and dates - looks like a trip is in the makings. If you make any more tapes from their videos let me know. Maybe we could meet in Ghana and go fishing. I'll keep in touch . I'm going to pass the word on about your tape through our club's news letter.

Great Work

Joe G Frazer


MONTANA, USA

Just watched you Ghana Marlin film. You should be proud of the fabulous shots. Hope it is selling well for you so you can continue to travel around the world doing what you love. Sorry to be late in getting back to you but I have been quite busy
playing the professor at Montana State University. I have twenty wonderful students. I am learning along with them. I'll be shooting high definition video this summer, so look out!

Winds are here, leaves turning golden and falling rapidly. We have already had our first snow. We live near Yellowstone Park. What a jewel....Good Luck with your ventures and hope to see you again soon.

Best Wishes

Rick


AUSTRALIA

Fantastic Blue Marlin video and fishery, although I am in the home of 1000lb Black Marlin I prefer Blue Marlin.

Graham

USA

The last few days have certainly been a time of deep concern and sadness for Americans and people everywhere. I returned traveled home yesterday to attend a meeting and stopped by my house before returning to the coast. Your video arrived in yesterday's mail and I brought it with me.

After watching television news about the terrorism in New York and Washington for a while, I turned to my wife and suggested we watch your video. It was simply awesome! Congratulations!

Best Regards,
Bob Monk

LONDON

What can I say but bravo,I have watched it twice now and think it was fantastic. First time I watched it I was concerned about the choice of music but on second viewing I think it works very well.I will recommend it to my friends and associates.

What I would like to find out is what are the results of the satellite tagging and have we learned any more about the movements of the mighty Marlin?.

Myself and my brother go to Ghana May,2002 and also Pemba
Channel,Kenya in February 2002.At the end of this month we go to the eastern Algarve for White Marlin and Tuna. But seeing you film I wish I could go to Ghana today.

Many thanks,

Neil Cunningham

HAWAII, USA

I checked out the photos and the video clip on your web page,
AWESOME!!! I would love to have a copy for our charter boat in Kona. Being a fair-skinned captain fishing the tropics my whole life, I think it's great we can help out with the fight against skin cancer with the purchase of your video - my dermatologist just shakes her head when she see's me coming for my annual check up! Please let me know what you need to get a copy to me.

Aloha and thank you,

Capt. Chip Van Mols

Rod Bender Sportfishing
www.konasportfishingcharters.com
73-4180 Malino Place
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740