Tracy and I were raised in a military family so we moved several times in our first 18 years. Since we moved so much, we only had each other until we made new friends. We were best friends and we always had each other’s back.  Now I’m taking care of my sister’s wish.
When we were told that Tracy had melanoma, I knew nothing about it. I began researching it to find out what my sister had and what could be done to help her.  The surgeries in July and October of 2008 determined the melanoma had spread to the pericardium, lung, and the chest cavity. I knew Tracy was in a bad situation but I also knew she was going to fight. She did her best and kept her spirits up – I’m very proud of her.
When Tracy asked me to “tell my story”, I had no idea what she meant. When I left the hospital and thought about it several days, I remembered that when I was told Tracy had melanoma, I knew nothing about it. That’s when I decided I would start a foundation and improve the awareness of this terrible disease.
Tracy wanted me to tell her story so others would not have to go through what she did. It was so hard watching my sister lose her fight with melanoma and I know she is with me for the continued fight. All we are asking is that you make the right choices by protecting yourself and seeing your dermatology provider once a year. Help us spread the word by joining with us in this fight to protect ourselves and our families.

Diane Cammarata is a Nurse Practitioner Board Certified in Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health. She provides medication management and psychotherapy for her patients with whom she works in private practice in Grapevine, Texas. Diane has worked with a variety of issues from treating patients with chronic pain and migraine to extensive experience in treating depression, anxiety, and grief issues. Diane’s passion for involvement in TTHF stems from her personal connection with Tracy and her family. Seeing what they have all gone through with Tracy’s battle is what has fueled her initiative to share  her knowledge and experience with others who may not realize the gravity of Melanoma and how it can ultimately destroy lives. Diane believes in the message that TTHF can convey regarding educating others, raising awareness for prevention, and funding research towards reducing incidence of and deaths from Melanoma.

I am a part of this foundation because I want to help make people aware of the dangers of not protecting their skin. Tracy was a fun loving, great person that always made people smile! Her last wish was for her brother to tell her story so other families wouldn’t have to go through what we did. I don’t want others to go through what my family went through.

Dr. Beitsch studied at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas graduating third in his class. Following an internship and residency in general surgery at UT Southwestern, Dr. Beitsch completed a National Cancer Institute fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston as well as, a surgical oncology fellowship at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California.

He is an ASBS certified breast ultrasonographer and is an American College of Surgeons breast ultrasound faculty instructor. He trained with the father of sentinel lymph node biopsy in Los Angeles, Dr. Donald Morton and brought the technique to Dallas. Dr. Beitsch has given numerous national and local presentations and is actively involved in research. He has major articles in peer-reviewed medical journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, and the American Journal of Surgery.

Board certified in general surgery; Dr. Beitsch is in practice at Medical City Dallas Hospital.  He has been local chairman of the Breast Cancer Detection Committee of the American Cancer Society and he has received their “Caring Spirit” Award because of his commitment to breast cancer prevention and treatment.  He also received the Macy’s “Heart and Soul” Award for his work with the YWCA Breast Cancer Detection Project and the Founder’s Award of the Bridge Breast Program.

He is a fellow of the Society of Surgical Oncology, served as chairman of the Community Surgical Oncologist Committee and sat on the Executive Council from 2007-10.  He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons where he is active in breast cancer research placing hundreds of women into cutting edge studies. He has served as the Membership Committee Chairman for the American Society of Breast Surgeons, was on the Board of Directors from 2006-9 and was the Program Director for the 2005 American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.  He serves as the principle investigator of the National Mammosite Breast Radiation Registry

His other major area of research is in melanoma where he was an investigator in the Sunbelt Melanoma Trial accruing 100 patients and is currently the second largest accruer in the US to the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial II.  

Stephanie K Hall is a public health worker. She has over ten years of experience in various aspects of health care. Her current interest in health law and love for the Harris/Harrison family is why she chooses to become a part of the foundation. Tracy and her family have always been warm and caring individuals. Her legacy would not be complete until we help eradicate melanoma through research and health policies.

I am Tracy’s mother and I would like to share with you several of my blessings.  I have had many  in my life but two of the most important are my children Lance and Tracy.  A mother could not have asked for two more special and loved children. Lance and Tracy have always had an amazing love and respect for one another, a brother and sister could not have been more close. I know that is why Tracy asked Lance to “tell my story” she knew that he would do it with everything he had….plus some.  My life was never the same after September 30, 1968 that was the day Tracy was born.  I truly believe when God  put this precious child in my arms …He said “there can only be one Tracy ” and as always HE was right. She truly was one very special child who grew up and became the most  unselfish, caring, loving and unique young woman.  
I am on a journey, a journey I never expected to be on…a mother should never have to bury  their child…but…here I am.   When Tracy was diagnosed with Melanoma, I didn’t know a lot about it and how dangerous it could be… I learned quickly how serious and deadly  this terrible cancer could be and I do not want another mother, father, brother, sister, friend or loved one  to have to experience the pain that we have had to encounter.  I hope that as you read this you will find it in your heart to help us tell her story and to spread the word about skin cancer thru education, awareness and research.  My God bless and keep you safe……

I have called the DFW area home for most of my life.  I consider myself a native Texan. I came on board with Bank of American in 2010 as VP of Small Business Banking.

I am happy to be a part of the Tracy Harrison Foundation. I have lived in Dallas/Fort Worth area over the past 12 years and have worked with several non-profit organizations over the years.  I knew Tracy personally through business connections and was moved by her story.  Cancer has also touched my family, so I am passionate about helping others through education, outreach and support.

Trina has been practicing dermatology in the DFW area for the
past six years.  She received a Master’s degree in Nursing and
certification in Family Nursing Practitioner in 2005 from Texas
Tech University.  Trina pursued and completed medical/surgical
dermatology training in 2005, cosmetic dermatology training in
2004, and wound care certification in 1999.  Trina earned her
Bachelor’s degree in 1992 from the University of Texas Medical
Branch in Galveston, Texas. Trina is a member of the following
associations:

• Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• Dermatology Nurses Association (DFW Area President—2008)
• Texas Nurse Practitioners
• Texas Metroplex West Nurse Practitioners
• Tracy Harrison Foundation for Melanoma Awareness

I am honored to be a part of The Tracy Harrison Foundation for Melanoma Awareness.  Like most people, in my youth, I always found myself in the sun but rarely thought about the potential long term harm that could come from sun exposure.  This Foundation seeks to protect the millions of people who are still of the mistaken opinion that melanoma is "just skin cancer" instead of a disease that kills people.  I have been a close friend of of Tracy's mother, Ann, for many years and have the greatest respect for her.  To see the pain that Ann went through while Tracy fought this deadly disease made me realize that more people needed to be made aware of melanoma and its deadly effects.  I am very proud to be included in this foundation and remain commtted the tenets that it was founded upon--to tell Tracy's story in the hope of preventing others from going through this terrible disease.