Stage FREE Melanoma (SFM) is an early stage non-profit organization, based in San Diego, California, with close ties to the Melanoma community and experience.

After being diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in 2011 and continuing an ongoing fight with stage 4, Eric felt compelled to address the lack of Melanoma education and awareness in his hometown. Over the last 7 years Eric has developed deep ties in the Melanoma community and plans on leveraging this network as President of SFM.  Eric believes his story, and others, should be shared to benefit others and not only lived. Eric decided to pull from his network a group of people that share the same passion to deemphasize ‘Stages’, and instead focus on service to others and life.

Robyn Hamel:

Being a native San Diego, Robyn always had a passion for being outdoors, enjoying the Southern California weather and, like many, was not aware of the damage she caused to her skin.  She was diagnosed with Melanoma (after a prior mis-diagnosis in 2005), and has become very passionate about bringing awareness to others about the different types of skin cancer , and the importance of accurate diagnosis and screening.  Robyn’s continued fight against Melanoma over the past 13 years, including repeated removals, has enabled her via her story to make a difference in people’s lives.

Arnold Abernathy:

Graduate of Santa Clara University, Arnold wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on society after his close friend, Eric Martin, was diagnosed and struggled for some years with Melanoma.  A native of San Diego, CA, Arnold now lives in Florida and works for a software company focusing on API Managment and Cyber Security.  He leverages his 15+ years of consulting experience to Stage FREE Melanoma as the primary Secretary on the board.