The Executive Committee of the Scarlet Lawrence Akins Foundation and the PINT5K Race Committee would like to thank you for the years you have given to the PINT5K event through your time and generous support of our mission to educate others about melanoma.  However, after much prayer, consideration, and discussion, we have decided that we will not continue with the PINT5K race.

Because of your sponsorship dollars, and in-kind donations, we have been able to donate over $60,000 to the Melanoma Research Foundation.  Starting small in 2007 with 372 runners, we grew our race by almost 75% in 4 short years to a total of 500 runners in 2011. However, the most important statistic was the countless number of lives saved through our skin screenings and sun safety message. We are very proud of what all our team has accomplished in the past 5 years, none of which would be possible without you. 

Even though we have decided to bring the race to a close, we are gearing up in a new direction to spread the word about Melanoma Awareness.  Our main focus will be primarily education and awareness.  It is our goal to continue to share Scarlet’s story and educate people about melanoma, hoping to save and change lives in the process.  Each dollar donated is a step towards a life saved from melanoma!  (Think your dollar doesn’t matter?  There have been huge advancements in skin cancer research, the FDA announced major changes in how sunscreens are regulated in the US, and in January, the FDA approved a new drug, called Erivedge, which is used to treat the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.  That’s a lot of great research in one short year!)

So what can you do to continue to help?  We still desperately need your referrals.  With May being Melanoma Awareness month, we plan to ramp up our education through Public Service Announcements (PSA’s), the web/media, and with various speaking engagements.  If an opportunity arises where someone needs to hear the message of melanoma awareness, please reach out to one of us.  Plus, and most important, as we continue to raise funds for melanoma awareness, your donations are vital.  We will continue to promote your business though our website, Facebook, Twitter, printed material, and PSA’s, but we need your “sponsorship” donations in order to do so.  (Donations should be to The Scarlet Lawrence Akins Foundation, 683 Glen Allen Cv, Collierville, TN  38017.) 

We hope that you will continue to refer to our new website for more information on upcoming news and events at www.paleisthenewtan-sla.com , or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  We love and appreciate each of you and consider you, today and always, to be part of our PINT5K family.

Thank you again for your continued support,

Cheryl L. Moore, President

Jody C. Akins, Vice President

Vann D. Moore, Secretary/Treasurer