Natalie Santaniello

Stage:Stage I

At 25 I was in a pool with all my friends. At the time finishing Nursing School. So – when one of my good friends tapped on my back and said “WHAT is THAT!” Back then (20 years ago), no one really knew how bad melanoma was – everyone thought it was like basal or squamous. But I knew, so I immediately had the half size of a dime, irregular jet black mark removed by my dermatologist. He did not get it all at the time and tried convincing me to immediately seek a plastic surgeon to have what they term the “butterfly” where they carve out your back and get all of the lymph nodes. He told me that it could have spread to my spine and spinal fluid, possible bone/brain cancer. Imagine being told that at 25. I decided to seek a professional Surgical Oncologist at the University of Arizona, Dr. Warneke. It took about a week to two weeks to get in. He went in and took a bigger chunk (it was about 2 mm from my spine) – so it was really tough healing in that area. But – it came back in situ, thankfully. This is the primary reason why I have opened up Airbrush ONE Spray Tanning in New England. It is my passion to promote Safe Sun Practices while still feeling beautiful.

My heart goes out to all of those who are less fortunate than I. Education, Awareness, and Prevention.