Thursday, May 24, 2012

Game On! Tanning Industry: You Don't Know Who You're Messing With!

Apparently this little blog has caught the attention of the Tanning Industry and I'm on their radar! I don't know why or how, but God has smiled and I'm following this rainbow all the way to the pot of gold that surely waits at the end! And just so the tanning industry makes no mistake and decides to twist my words, no, I'm not talking about any money making scheme. It is a metaphorical pot of gold.

I admit my naivete; I didn't catch this at first. But Hotel Melanoma's proprietor explained things and he has already blogged about this wonderful phenomenon we're both experiencing.  He, however, has only caught the attention of one. I've caught the attention of three! THREE! Can I say "excited" enough?

No. Let me tell you why. These people, not only "my" three, but the Tanning Industry don't know who they're messing with. I don't need attirude for this one. They might, however, before this is over.

What these people fail to realize is they don't just have me and my pitiful little blog on their radar. Oh no. They have the melanoma community on their radar. AND, newsflash in case they've somehow missed it: THEY ARE ON OURS!

They've got damn angry mamas on their radar. Not good for them in the Industry. Mamas who accompany their children to oncologist appointments. Teenagers, twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings going through hell and back to live. Why? Because they bought the tanning industry's lies. Angry, grieving mamas who have buried their children who tanned. TI, they're going to bury you just like you buried their children. I promise you that.

Tanning Industry: you're messing with all these mamas, and the daddies, too, when I get on your radar. See, we in the melanoma community, we reside at Hotel Melanoma and we're a tight community. You get one or two of us on your radar, and you've got us all.

You know who else you've now got on your radar and who have YOU on THEIRS? People who've been one of you but now have melanoma. They bought into your lies and owned their own tanning salons and home beds. They went into those coffins and lived to tell about it and tell what they really do. Others here in Hotel Melanoma didn't actually own the beds, but paid to use it thinking you were being honest with them. They're on your radar. And I hope you're scared because you're on theirs. And they are angry. They've got lives they want to lead...not lead them fighting melanoma. They've got small children they want to raise...they didn't plan spending their childhood fighting to live to raise them into adults. You took their money and sold them lies. You sold them melanoma. You sold some death.

Tanning Industry, I'm not the Chaplain Boss Queen of Hotel Melanoma for nothing. I don't know these people for the sheer fun of it. We aren't the neighborhood bridge club and we don't mess around or play games. Apparently, though, you do. Sneaking around, twisting words, trying to make it seem like you've got a friend...give me a break. But you play your games. That's OK. I'll tell you, up front, we don't play games here. Who has time? We'll be up front and honest with you. You'll find us on the high road.

There's a lot you don't know about me. But God does and He knows who He has called into this battle with you. I don't know if you see l'il ol' me as David and you as Goliath, OR, if you see the melanoma community as David and you as Goliath. It doesn't make any difference. And I'll tell you why: I know how the story ends. And in case you need to refresh your memory this link goes straight to it and you can even read it from different translations.

I know how this kind of story always ends.

You're going down.  It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. But you're going down.

And for the record, The Motions has been my prayer, motto, and theme song since it first came out a few years ago. You may want to remember that. You don't know who you're messing with. Because it's not just me. But I do make the people in the tanning industry a promise: I'll be here for you just like I am here for those who used to be one of you and are now one of us. They are loved and supported. And you will be too as you and your family members get melanoma. I don't hate you. I hate what you stand for and sell. But I actually feel sorry for you. You've bought a lie and because of that you happily sell that lie and sell death and misery. It will catch up with you and when it does, I'll be your Chaplain Boss Queen, too.

In the meantime, Tanning Industry, you're going down.

And I stand grateful to be a part of it.

Bring it on!

29 comments:

  1. So. It looks like you've caught the attention of the Tanning Industry? Well, congratulations! As long as you have an audience, I hope you don't mind if I add a tidbit? Please feel free to delete.
    Tidbit:
    http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html

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  2. Amen Carol! I will fight the tanning industry with you and our molemates until the day I can fight no more!

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  3. YUP, TANNING INDUSTRY YOUR GOING DOWN! WE ARE MELANOMA WARRIORS AND WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR SISTERS OUR BROTHERS, OUR MOTHERS, FATHERS, CHILDREN, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES! YOUR SELLING MELANOMA SKIN CANCER, and I WILL STAND UP AND FIGHT, WITH OUR WARRIORS AND BRING YOU DOWN! FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE AIR IN MY LUNGS!

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  4. You're going down, tanning industry. It's just a matter of time. If you're smart, you'd get out of the tanning industry and into honest work, while there's still time. Tanning salon owners, honestly, go into another line of work. Tanning bed users, please, save yourselves before it's too late. Wanting to get rid of your pale skin is not worth your life.
    We are the Melanoma Community... and we WILL be heard!

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  5. It figures that the tanning industry would misread your previous blog and use it to their advantage. If your really read it, you will see that it is anything but pro tan. I was one of the ones that bought into the tan being a sign of health and beauty. Now I am paying a hefty price for it. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. I used tanning beds. I got my cancer from tanning. It makes me sick knowing that people are still being told LIES about tanning beds. It is not safe, in any capacity, to use a tanning bed! Period. It is proven by medical professionals. It is classified as a carcinogen for a reason! The point that was being made, which is very obvious, is that not all melanoma is caused by tanning. Some are diagnosed without ever setting foot in a tanning bed. Melanoma can be transmitted to an unborn baby. That baby has never been in a tanning bed. Some people are genetically disposed to melanoma. That is the point that was being made. That there are other ways to get melanoma. Not that tanning is safe in any way, shape or form. It is dangerous to think otherwise. As was stated above, we will be there for those that are buying into the LIES and welcome them into the Hotel Melanoma when there time comes. Here is a link to my melanoma journey. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.203337879706350.50981.203324629707675&type=3 Tell me after you see them if you think tanning is worth it. I for one think not. Thank you Carol for everything you do to get awareness out there!

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  6. The TI has reason to fear you, Queen Boss!

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    Replies
    1. Just wait until they find out I hang out with YOU!

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  7. I'd say God was grinning.From ear to ear. We are just getting started.

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  8. Awesomely put! Love it! Even though I never set foot in a tanning bed, I am united with all of you fellow warriors and we will not shut up about melanoma. I don't know how you can have a clean conscience know full well what the implications can be. Shame on you, TI!!
    Proud of you Carol, you are the Boss!

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  9. I've got your back, Carol! Being diagnosed with Melanoma at the age of 32 with two small children at home will NOT be for nothing. I WILL be a part of the movement that bans minors from tanning beds and then goes on to shut them down all together. Yes, the tanning industry is most definitely going down.

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    Replies
    1. These folks just don't understand the melanoma grassroots community. There are so many prongs coming at them, they've got to be getting dizzy.

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  10. BRAVO for voicing what we want to say! I repeat to everyone..."oh lord, if I knew then what I know now, I'd avoided tanning beds". How many burns did I get in those things? Oh yes, I did burn because I was told, oh yes, it's okay to tan here 4 times a week, all you have to do is buy apply this cream to get you darker and oh yes, wear these glasses to PROTECT YOUR EYES. That glorious white skin of yours will get nice and dark (should have said, nice and crispy with UV damage and a body full of moles, some of them cancerous that might kill you one day).

    I should have caught on to "wear these glasses to protect your eyes". I should have protected my skin too while I was at it and avoided paying for those sessions altogether.


    So to those of you who use a bed, let me tell it to your straight: Pick a cancer, BCC, SCC or Melanoma. If you don't hear what we are saying, let me be your example "I have several of all three; so let me tell you, the risks are high".

    OR listen to these collective voices who are screaming loudly, avoid them, be safe, live long and surgery free.

    I'm angry; actually not angry; rip roaring mad. I wanted to test a tanning salon recently just to see what they had to say. Guess what...I was still allowed to tan, even with my risk factors. The script hasn't changed in 15 years..but the rules will change, our voice will be heard.

    It's started already...do you hear them?

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  11. Chris Schmadeke HenryMay 25, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    The tanning industry should or should I say better be scared. As a previous tanning bed owner I know all to well the risks and dangers of tanning. All of us must work together to get these "coffins" whether laying or standing outlawed. Together we can all make a difference.

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  12. Well said Carol! Keep ROCKING IT Girl! We've got your back :)

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  13. Glad I found your blog. I was recently dx with Malignant Melanoma. Although I found mine very early (Stage 1) - I have still undergone many biopsies, stitches and fear of the "What if's again" due to TANNING in TANNING beds from age 14 until well into my 30's. I have damage marks in places where the sun doesnt shine! Can you say DAMAGE from tanning bed usage?!?! I am pissed too! I am so pissed that I WALKED into a tanning salon here in Austin and told the young lady that the services they are selling are DAMAGING! I also told her I had Melanoma and I had been cut on 18 times since January DUE TO TANNING! She smiled and said "thank you" in her very young naive voice. These are death coffins and those that still tan are playing Russian Roullet with their health and lives!

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  14. I wrote the blog above .... just wasnt sure how to add my information. Didnt want to be anonymous! i am not anonymous! I am a mad Melanoma 37 year old mother of 4 little girls who WILL NEVER step foot into a "tanning salon!!"

    AMY
    Austin Texas

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    Replies
    1. Glad to hear from you Amy and thanks for finding me on FB. You've got friends and support. Blessings!

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  15. Oh, you know I'm in on this, Rev. The tanning industry LIED to me for years. "We'll put you in a browning bed to help you get a safe base tan." Yep, I actually thought I was helping myself prevent burns and skin cancer. 34 year old single mommy fighting the beast. Watch out, tanning industry! I will not rest my head completely until I know changes have been made. You have reason to fear all of us. We are pretty passionate about the subject considering we are all fighting for our lives!

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  16. This mama ain't letting none of her babies anywhere near tanning beds. They already know far too well the horrors of melanoma. Ages 14, 9, & 6 and they already know! I'm ain't scared of the tanning industry. Bring it on! With you on this 100%

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  17. An article from Medical News Today states today when answering the question "Cancer awareness has improved - so why do people still use tanning salons"?

    Reply:"The tanning industry is a multi-billion dollar business that, according to a Congressional Report published on February 1, targets teenage females with promotions and advertising. The Report accuses the industry of denying the known risks, providing inaccurate and false data on tanning benefits, and does not follow FDA recommendations on how often people should tan".

    WHO (World Health Organization) International Agency for Research on Cancer classes tanning beds as carcinogenic to humans. Cigarettes, arsenic, plutonium and mustard gas have the same category.

    To get the truth, ask the experts who gain nothing by promoting awareness of melanoma, unlike that of the multi-billion Tanning Industry. No brainer to me.

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245918.php

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  18. Although I NEVER stepped foot in a tanning salon and now 26 years old with 4 small children fighting this beast I WILL ALWAYS BE AGAINST TANNING!!!! why on earth would anyone want to get cancer! Especially melanoma! So why would you tan? Why would you be willing to put yourself at risk to get melanoma or the other skin cancers?? So I stand with you to bring down tanning salons!!!! ~Michaela ~

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Thank you.