Congratulations to Our 2020 Claire Marie Arts & Design Scholar

Congratulations to Allison, “Allie”  McDavid, the 2020 Recipient of the Claire Marie Scholarship in Arts & Design!

 The Notre Dame Preparatory Senior got the news via NDP art teacher Anne Walker while isolated at her home, but the lack of fanfare did not diminish her excitement! Allie begins her studies this fall at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she will immerse herself in Interior and Architectural Designs.

Every year since 2015, the $5,000 award is given to a graduating senior from Claire’s alma mater, Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson Maryland to support the recipient’s desire to study design arts in college. It was a dream of Claire’s to launch a career in interior design and we are thrilled to see other young women share the same passion and excitement. Each year, our winners are selected by an exquisite team of noted design professionals from across the country! They bring expertise in fine arts, theatrical, animation, interiors, photography and film. Our thanks to our CMF Scholarship Committee: Katie Fico with Walt Disney Animation Studio, Los Angeles based Interior Designer Stacey Vuduris, Theatrical Designer Timothy Swiss of Los Angeles, Photographer Susannah Dowell of Colorado and Maryland’s First Lady and MICA Educator Advocate, Mrs. Yumi Hogan. 

Allie said her phone lit up with excited messages from her classmates when the announcement was made! “What an honor it is to be able to represent such beautiful young women and the inspiring Claire Marie Foundation.” 

Allie joins past recipients who have studied in Claire’s memory at University of Southern California, Rollins College, University of Virginia and Savannah College of Arts & Design. 

Allie, good luck on your academic and professional adventure! We can’t wait to see the joy, color and beauty you bring to the world!

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Oh No! Found a Suspicious Mole or Skin Lesion Amid COVID-19 Shut-Down? Here’s What To Do!

In this era of COVID19 it can be challenging to manage the common practice of healthcare. Thus, many routine medical concerns, including dermatology screenings for skin cancer and melanoma, are on hold for most people.

In an attempt to manage their own health as best they can, some patients may turn to smartphone apps to assess a suspicious skin lesion. That is not a good idea!  A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA) found these leading apps offer false results. SkinVision and SkinScan, the two most popular apps, were both missing melanomas and offering false positive readings. Furthermore, 45% of the time, the images couldn’t even be interpreted by the apps.  It should be noted that the FDA has not yet approved these apps for the diagnosis of melanoma.

What should you do if you can’t get an appointment with your dermatologist and you have a suspicious skin lesion?  We reached out to Claire Marie Foundation Medical Advisor, Dr. Meg R. Gerstenblith, M.D., a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University and a Clinical Associate in the Department of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Here is what Dr. Gerstenblith had to say:

“The past few months, our lives have changed dramatically.  Each one of us has been impacted by COVID19, even if we haven’t personally been sick.  Routine medical visits, including skin exams by dermatologists, have been pushed back.  We won’t fully appreciate the effects of these delays, although in the context of cancer screening and cancer care, some hypothesize that the impact will be felt for years to come.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30243-6/fulltext

However, many dermatologists’ offices are open for telemedicine visits and urgent concerns, including the diagnosis and treatment of aggressive skin cancers. 

In a typical telemedicine visit, a patient will upload photos of a suspicious lesion (or lesions) and, during the video visit, the dermatologist will review the photos and obtain critical history information from the patient with regard to how long the patient has noticed the lesion, whether or not it is symptomatic, and whether or not it has changed in any respect. 

With this information, dermatologists can usually come up with a sound plan for that patient.  If the dermatologist is concerned, most are be able to see the patient in the office for the appropriate biopsy or excision of a suspicious lesion.  Our surgeons are performing skin cancer surgery as well.  We are doing our best to avoid delays in diagnosing and treating potentially aggressive skin cancers.  For some skin cancers that are not very aggressive, such as a superficial basal cell carcinoma, dermatologists may recommend waiting to treat those since they are highly unlikely to grow or spread.  

For the patient with the suspicious lesion, that patient should contact his/her dermatologist and set up a telemedicine visit.  The dermatologist can then advise the patient on whether or not he/she needs to be seen in person for an examination or a biopsy. 

If that patient’s dermatologist is not open or not conducting telemedicine visits, there are likely other offices that are open in that patient’s community–and the patient should seek out another dermatologist or speak to their primary care doctor to get assistance reaching a dermatologist. 

Most dermatology groups within academic hospitals are open during this COVID19 pandemic as are many private practices.  We would not recommend using any of the lesion detection apps, since studies have shown these to be ineffective.”

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Choosing For You and Baby: The Best Sunscreens For Pregnant Moms

The need to take care of your skin warrants special attention during pregnancy – especially when it comes to UV sun exposure. 

Pregnancy may bring an added risk for the development of melanoma. Hormonal changes, combined with genetics, have been found to be a link during pregnancy in some women. 

So along with getting a full body skin screening from your dermatologist, you also need to remember to wear sunscreen everyday.

What is the best choice for sunscreen to protect both you and your little one? We asked  Dr. Diane Orlinsky, MD, F.A.A.D.. Dr. Orlinsky is a board certified Dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She also sits on the Claire Marie Foundation Medical Advisory.

Dr. Orlinsky says when it comes to using sunscreen during pregnancy, choose a product that offers a physical blocker instead of a chemical one. What’s the difference? Chemical blockers allow some of the sun’s rays to penetrate the skin. Physical blockers actually repel the UV rays off the skin. “Physical blockers are perfect for pregnancy because they consist of active mineral ingredients which are natural and of course that’s always the better choice! Look for an SPF of at least 30 with ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

There are elegant products such as Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen by ISDIN or Colorescience Face Shield which offer great protection without leaving your skin looking chalky. Look for something which is fragrance free and really evaluate the label. Avoid products which have chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate or avobenzone.”

Of course it’s always important to remember to wear hats or clothing made of UPF 50 materials on those days you are at the beach or in the sun for long periods of time. Remember, taking care of you is as important as taking care of your baby!

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The Ignored Risk: People of Color Do Get Melanoma

If you have skin – you are at risk for melanoma. That’s it. Plain and simple. EVERYONE – no matter age, gender or race can develop melanoma. It does not discriminate and it isn’t always about the sun. Melanoma can occur due to genetics and hormonal changes related to puberty and pregnancy – especially among adolescents and young adults where diagnosis is at “epidemic proportions”. 

Many people of color live under the false assumption that they cannot develop melanoma because higher levels of melanin in their skin offer immunity to damaging rays of the sun. Yes, there is less risk than those with  fair skin, but when melanoma does occur, it is usually late stage with a much worse prognosis. Consider this: on the average – only 65% of patients of color diagnosed with melanoma survive five years compared to 91% of white patients. Why? A clear lack of awareness, education and preventive care among patients and the medical profession. 

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma or ALM is is the most common form of melanoma in people with darker skin and those of Asian descent although it can develop in all skin colors. It is found on the sole of the foot, the palm of the hand or under the nails. It can develop from an existing mole or pop out of nowhere! Although the actual cause is not clear, ALM appears more related to genetics than sun exposure. It is the form of melanoma that famously claimed the life of reggae icon Bob Marley.

Death rates from ALM are higher than other forms of melanoma mostly because it is often overlooked due to a lack of awareness and education among the patients and physicians. So what can you do? Begin by taking care of yourself!

  • Wear SPF 30 or 50 sunscreen every dayno matter your skin color.  It’s a challenge to find  a sunscreen that blends well with darker skin. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide are the answer. Look for formulas that are micronized zinc preparations. They do especially well on darker skin tones by offering protection without a chalky look!
  • Get screened annually by a certified dermatologist! Make sure the examination includes an evaluation of your feet, hands and nails. Keep in mind general practitioners, internists, or pediatricians are not trained in dermatology and can overlook any suspicious moles. You need a dermatologist who utilizes dermatscopy. 
  • Wear UPF 50 clothing during extended time in the sun. There are so many wonderful sports and fashion looks out there; Sun50, Coolibar, Athleta, Columbia Sports, the list goes on and on. Think of it as shopping to stay healthy!
  • Check yourself out! Evaluate your own skin monthly and be sure to call a dermatologist if you see any unusual changes. Listen to the voice in your head. Your instincts usually are right!

Take charge of your skin and spread the word! Prevention is the cure when it comes to melanoma. Stay well. Stay safe. #livelifelikeclaire

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