Celebrity

Victoria Azarenka feared pregnancy would end her tennis career

Posted on May 28, 2019

Victoria Azarenka: Back playing tennis with a smile on her face. photo by Tatiana

When Belarusian tennis ace Victoria Azarenka announced her surprise pregnancy, she feared that she would never play professional tennis again, despite confirming her intentions to return to the court after giving birth. Azarenka was ranked sixth in the WTA world rankings at that point and had just celebrated landing her 20^th WTA tour title.

In a recent interview, Azarenka said that when she was forced to cut her 2016 season short, she admitted her initial thought was “oh my god, I’m never going to play tennis again”.

Ending her 2016 campaign was like “ripping off a band aid” to Azarenka. She admitted that she cried down the phone to her mother, but soon realised that she didn’t know what she was crying about.

Azarenka eventually took to motherhood like a duck to water. She said that after giving birth to baby son, Leo, in December 2016, she “felt so much stronger physically” and that her “body finally matured into being a woman”.

She returned to the WTA circuit in June 2017 and went deep into the fourth round at Wimbledon, which was a big achievement considering her nine-month absence.

Azarenka’s decided to return to tennis quickly after giving birth, around the same time as Serena Williams, who recently opened up about her insecurities as a mom, announced her own pregnancy, This brought the WTA’s maternity policies into the spotlight once again.

Last year, Azarenka and Williams, along with Venus Williams, Johanna Konta and several other stars, successfully campaigned for the introduction of improved ranking protection for expectant mothers playing on the circuit.

Prior to the 2019 season, female players had to return from giving birth or injury within three years to be able to utilize a special ranking for eight tour events in a year. However, this year, players returning from childbirth or injury can use their previously held ranking to enter up to 12 tournaments during a three-year period.

They will also not be required to face a seeded player in the first round of a tournament. Azarenka said: “We have the power to change the rules and we have done.” The 29-year-old says that “is what [she] wants [her] legacy to be”.

*Azarenka is one of the most competitive players on the WTA tour*. Photo by Christian Mesiano

On the court, 2018 marked a solid return to action for Azarenka, who returned inside the top 100 in the WTA world rankings. A semi-final run at the Miami Open was arguably the stand-out moment that underlined her return to form.

However, at Wimbledon, she would reach the mixed doubles final, partnering Scotsman Jamie Murray.

At the beginning of this year, Azarenka finally managed to return to one of her favorite events, the Australian Open, after being forced to pull out of the previous year’s tournament due to her ongoing custody battle.

Although the Belarusian slipped to a disappointing first round loss to Laura Siegemund in Melbourne, Azarenka has since enjoyed greater success both in singles and doubles.

In the former, she battled her way to the final of the WTA Monterrey Open, before having to retire in the second set against defending champ, Garbine Muguruza.

She also bagged some silverware in the doubles, winning in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel hard court tournament with partner, Zheng Saisai.

Hard courts have always been favoured by Azarenka, due largely to her aggressive baseline style. She has two Australian Open titles to her name, but the US Open is the other hard court Grand Slam that has alluded her thus far.]

In terms of the leading female contenders to win the US Open, Azarenka is probably in the top 20.

Age is obviously not on her side, but Williams has proven that this doesn’t have to be an issue. Japanese starlet, Naomi Osaka will be looking to retain her crown after winning her first Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows last year.

There are two Grand Slams to play between now and then. However. Azarenka is yet to reach a final at either the French Open or Wimbledon. Whether she is likely to do so this season is up for debate.

Nevertheless, as of May 2019, Azarenka’s world ranking now stands at 43. Less than three years after announcing her pregnancy, it may have been a long road back towards the world’s top 50, but she is making inroads month by month to get back to her best.

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Celeb Lux Life: Inside Look At Private Jets

Posted on May 27, 2019

This blog covers the celeb lifestyle and red carpets, and Privatte jet travel, which believe it or not, is becoming more accessible to the general public.

Through Uber-like services and competitive rates, more people than ever before can experience the convenience, comfort, and luxury of taking off on a jet plane to destinations either near or far for business and pleasure.

While your experience chartering your “own” course with a private service will be nothing to sneeze at, the owners of these private jets are taking the term “luxurious’’ to a whole new stratosphere.

Let’s take a private look inside six of the most luxurious private jets

Boeing 747-8 VIP jet

Is it rude to have a better plane than the President of the United States?

Despite the original $367 million price tag, the owner of a Boeing 747-8 VIP jet added another $200 million in amenities to create the equivalent of a mansion in the sky.

No worries, as the Gulfstream G650ER with its humble price tag of just $66.5 million is perfect for those small group jetaways of 8 passengers or less.

With a palatial dining room, big screen televisions throughout and a “master suite with magnificent views of the changing sky,” flying in the current Air Force One model may seem like a step down to a low-rent district in aviation.

There were similar feelings with the powers that be. With plans to retire the two Boeing 747-200s that are the current Presidential ride, the 747-8’s are next in line. However, taxpayers should not collectively clutch their chests and wallets. The Air Force saved significantly on costs by buying the jets from the bankrupt Russian airline Transaero.

2. Gulfstream G650E

Perhaps being the owner of a $500 million private jet that when flown commercially can accommodate 467 passengers is a little over the top for your modest needs.

Flying at a maximum speed of Mach 0.90, this flagship of the Gulfstream fleet can take you from Los Angeles to Geneva in 10.5 hours. That’s about three hours faster than a commercial flight! But unlike a commercial flight, you can use a smartphone app to control your custom cabin.

3. Pilatus PC-24

Considered to be one of the world’s best private jets, the Pilatus PC-24 is the epitome of both versatility and comfort.

Often referred to as the “penthouse of the skies,” this little jewel’s price tag of $8.9 million is, in comparison to the other jets on our list, hardly a king or queen’s ransom. As the world’s first Super Versatile Jet, it is in a class of its own and is able to land on short dirt runways as easily as it does on the strips of airports such as O’Hare or Heathrow.

The flexibility also means that you have an additional 880 airports in which you can touch down, meaning that convenience and luxury are not mutually exclusive.

4. Airbus 380

From a Turkish bath to a concert hall with a grand piano, we once again up our game to the Airbus 380 that was once owned by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud. Just as an aside, when the Prince decided to sell his jet in 2013, it was reported that he used the proceeds to “expand his investments in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.”

Now you may be wondering how one can fit a concert hall into a private plane? The A380 commercial model can accommodate up to 800 passengers. Due to the aircraft failing to gain sustainable traction within the commercial industry, production will cease in 2021. Fortunately for the A380, it is becoming a favorite for private owners.

Given its size – it is hailed as being the largest commercial airplane ever built and is an interior designer’s dream for any client with a princely purse.

5. Boeing 787 Dream Jet

The Boeing 787 Dream Jet is the pinnacle of luxury and exclusivity. At a cost of $70,000 an hour to rent, you can see why some use the word “exclusive” when talking about this private jet.

Part of its appeal, beyond its 20 hours of uninterrupted flying time, is its spacious dining rooms and sleeping quarters which are more reminiscent of a luxury cruise liner than an airplane. Now we know where the saying, “it’s the only way to fly” originated.

6. Bombardier Global 7500

Learjet, a Canadian company, was the very first aircraft manufacturer to build private jets. The first Learjet took-off in 1963, and while the competition has become fierce since those early days, the company now owned by Bombardier is still a brand to be reckoned with.

Giving testimony to this is the Bombardier Global 7500.

If we are talking about luxury, the master bedroom is so fancy it is worthy of its, “stateroom” moniker. The fact that there are quarters for the crew too means that your private jet is truly “private.”

Air Style

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder so choosing the six most luxurious jets in the world today is no easy task.

These jets take into account the diverse tastes and requirements of the most discriminating of travelers to give you a glimpse into how the world’s rich and famous traverse the globe.

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Fashion

These Memorial Day Inspired Nails and Make Up Are Drool-worthy

Posted on May 27, 2019

Bellyitch Rewind

Congress has in place recommendations and rules that limits the way the American flag is displayed and used, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

For example, it should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise; it should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free; should never have anything placed on it; and never advertising purpose, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on paper napkins or boxes, nor used as any portion of a costume.

That doesn’t stop make up and nail polish design aficionados from using the colors and Old Glory to inspire their designs and looks.

Here is a collection of unique interpretations from our group Nail and Design Pinterest Board following where you can find the images source credits.

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Celebrity

Jordin Sparks Talks Getting the ‘Baby Blues’ After Delivering Son

Posted on May 27, 2019

Season 6 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks opened up about her post birth experience and getting the “baby blues.”

In a sit down with US Magazine, the “No Air” performer talked about the “fourth trimester” blues.

“Everybody knows about what postpartum depression is,” Sparks told the magazine’s Jackie Miranne. “But there’s this thing called the fourth trimester, which happens after you have your baby””

She added: “It’s dealing with everything that happens with your body. Your body goes and changes, your hormones are absolutely insane.”

She talked about how it all caught her off guard because she wasn’t expecting it but how relying on family and friends helped her get through it all:

“You’re dealing with this baby and then something doesn’t go right. … We’ve got tons of people to hold the baby, but who hold us? Who hold us together? Who helps us get through all that stuff? Obviously, people in your family who knows what you’ve been through and had kids before, but sometimes it feels hard to reach out because you’re like, ‘How do I feel so lonely when this amazing thing just happened.”

In the end, Sparks says a friend who had recently given birth was there for her to commiserate and validate concerns.

She also used the opportunity of the interview to also talk about Sickle Cell Disease foundation she is working with.

Her step sister Bryanna Jackson-Frias, 16, died of the disease last year following a life-long battle with the condition that disproportionately affects black Americans and people of African descent.

“It’s called Generation S and S stands for sickle,” the Arizona native told Us. “So what we’re doing is we’re encouraging people who have been affected by it in some way – whether a family member or a caretaker, or they’ve been dealing with it themselves – to go online, to joingens.com, and to share their story because we want to rewrite the face of what sickle cell looks like because you can’t tell that somebody has it by looking at them.”

[Editor’s note: Personally, my little sister has the disease as well so I’m happy to support Sparks effort and charity]

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News

Memorial Day Photo Of Kids Visiting Dad’s Grave Goes Viral Again

Posted on May 27, 2019

Today, we honor the memory of those who died in war fighting for freedoms and other reasons.

A two-year old photo of two boys visiting their deceased soldier dad’s gravesite is making the viral rounds once again.

I’m sharing the background of their story for those who are interested in knowing the very bittersweet and tender backstory from 2017:

Brothers Mylan and Mason Brazel visited the grave of their father, Staff Sgt. Alfred Brazel, in a touching scene at Arlington National Cemetery for the first time since his death from cancer at 37 in July

As brothers Mason and Mylan Brazel visited their father’s tombstone at Arlington National Cemetery for the first time, the young boys felt like they were just having a normal conversation with dad.

Kait Brazel, 29, captured the touching scene as sons Mason, 8, and Mylan, 5, curled up in front of the tombstone of Army Staff Sgt. Alfred “Fred” Brazel, who died at 37 of Stage 4 rectal cancer on July 31 after being diagnosed only five months earlier.

“I felt proud while we were there,” Brazel told TODAY in an email. “Obviously it was sad because the boys are talking to their dad and he can’t talk back, but really I’m proud because throughout the fight our goal was to be realistic with the boys without the losing their innocence as children.

“Seeing them share their lives with their dad’s headstone, I knew we accomplished exactly that.”

The boys went to every doctor’s appointment with their dad during his fight with cancer, and their parents answered every hard question they asked about his diagnosis, Kait Brazel said.

“We never once addressed it as a sad thing,” Brazel said. “That was the attitude and mentality we had throughout the battle. We as a family lived and continue to live life to the fullest in every moment.

“We don’t shelter them from ‘adult things.’ It was their dad and they were a part of the fight. We have always been very open with them, and because of this I believe they have handled the whole journey amazingly.”

The family drove 24 hours from their home in Colorado Springs, CO, to Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 20 for the touching visit.

It was an emotional journey that came three months after Fred Brazel’s funeral, a heart-wrenching day that was captured by professional photographer and family friend Alishia Potter in August.

At one point during the visit at Arlington, Mylan curled up and took a nap in front of the tombstone, while Mason updated his dad about winning a trophy in swimming.

Kait is also hoping the pictures bring attention to the dangers to soldiers from burn pits. She believes Fred got cancer from exposure to toxic chemicals during a deployment in Iraq.

After their trip to Arlington, the Brazels spent Thanksgiving with family in Boston and then went to Niagara Falls, a place Fred always wanted to visit with the boys.

They are grateful for being able to share some time with Fred ahead of their first holiday season without him. Shortly before they left, Mylan gave the tombstone a hug.

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Memorial Day: Shop This Adorable ‘Mommy and Me’ Swimsuit Sale

Posted on May 26, 2019

Just in time for Memorial Day pool opening weekend, my partners at Bikini.com are offering shoppers 15% off its entire site for Memorial Day Weekend! , including Sale items!

This means you moms of little girls can get a chance to get in on the explosive Mommy and Me fashion trend and get a suit or two for you and your little girl to wear this Spring and Summer warm weather season.

Indeed, now the benefits of having a daughter extends to just outfitting her in adorable clothes that would elicit all sorts of ooohs and aaaahs in the mall.

Shop Bikini.com’s “Mommy and Me” Collection

Now, you get to stroll along the beach or lounge side by side at the pool deck in matching bikinis!

Check them out: Shop the Mommy and Me Collection

mommy-me-bikini-swimsuits-jewelry-cover-ups-accessories-bikini-com

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Trademarked Their Two Week Old

Posted on May 25, 2019

Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West have trademarked their fourth child, son Pslam West‘s name for 70 businesses.

This all happened just 14-days into the newborn’s life. It’s not uncommon for the famous duo (or many celebrities these days, Beyonce and JayZ have trademarked their kids’ names).

However, for North, Saint and Chicago who were trademarked earlier this year, she hadn’t specified so many companies.

TMZ reported on Thursday that the savvy couple secured the bag by filing for the baby’s trademark at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 18 under Kardashian-West’s company, Kimsaprincess.

The product categories include: fashion and beauty sectors, baby goods, children’s clothing, jewelry, watches and skin care among others were included in the request.

Currently, Kardashian-West is studying to become a lawyer and plans to take bar exam in 2022. She and Ye also revealed that their family doctor Paul Crane, the same one who delivered Psalm’s bis sisters North and Chicago and big brother Saint delivered Psalm.

She and Kanye celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary yesterday, May 24th.

Big happy news all around for the family!

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6 SECRETS OF LOOKING NATURAL WITH MAKEUP

Posted on May 25, 2019

So you want to look put together, but you don’t want to look like you’re ready for a night on the town.

Achieving a natural makeup look isn’t as easy as it seems, but here are six tips to help you look radiant and polished without looking like a clown:

Customize Your Base

Depending on your skin type and how confident you are about exposing your natural face, you can do a number of things with regards to your foundation or primer base.

If you simply need some overall coverage, you can make your base makeup look lighter and more natural by mixing it with moisturizer. This will give you a more dewy and refreshed appearance that looks less thick and caked on than without moisturizer, so it’s a great way of making your makeup look more natural without having to sacrifice the coverage you get.

For those of you with naturally good skin who only use foundation as part of a complete makeup look, skip the base altogether and opt for a shimmery moisturizer instead.

Brows

Getting your brows in order is a great way of making your makeup look natural because a striking brow can really frame your face, meaning you won’t have to worry so much about spending a long time on your makeup.

There are so many different options for brows nowadays, and plenty of tutorials online on how to achieve the perfect brows.

So, if you really want to make an impression without caking on layers of makeup, try your hand at eyebrow grooming and shading before even reaching for your other items of makeup.

Nude Lip

If you want to avoid looking like you have too much makeup on, one of the best ways to begin is to start with a nude lip. You simply cannot achieve a natural makeup look if you want to have red or purple lips.

Nude colors are tones of pink, blush, or might have slight brown undertones. Nude lips and eyes are the general palette you’re going to be working with if you want to look natural.

Just make sure you know your own skin tone before you buy makeup, because certain tones look better with warmer undertones, while others look better with cooler ones.

Avoid Eyeliner

There are one or two exceptions, but eyeliner and natural makeup looks do not go together very well. This is because eyeliner is a dramatic highlighter of the eyes, essentially, and is best reserved for high drama looks.

The most popular choice for eyeliner is still black, and it’s almost impossible to wear it in a manner that looks natural. The only exception to this is if you have an incredibly steady hand and can put a subtle line on the outer eye, at the corners.

This should follow the natural line of the eye and not extend into a wing or cat’s tail, of course. Still, this look is pretty difficult to achieve, so it’s best to avoid eyeliner completely when you want to look natural.

Accentuate

The key to a natural makeup look is to accentuate your natural features, not try to exaggerate them or create new features entirely.

For example, a cat’s eye eyeliner look might be fun and dramatic, but it’s giving you features you don’t have naturally, so it’s never going to look natural. If you want to be a pro at creating a natural makeup look, simply study your face and figure out what you like most about it. Do you have striking eyes? Then your natural makeup should highlight your eyes.

Maybe you don’t like your eyes, but you love your sharp cheekbones? Then you will highlight your cheekbones and avoid accentuating the eyes. A natural makeup look is all about accentuating, not creating.

Emphasize

Another excellent tip for achieving a natural look is to emphasize. Similar to accentuate, emphasizing is all about emphasizing one feature only. When you emphasize more than one feature, you will always end up with a heavy makeup look.

For instance, if you choose to accentuate your eyes with smoky eyeliner on the top and bottom, and then also highlight your lips in a berry red, you are going to end up with a heavy makeup look. It might look stunning, but it certainly won’t look natural.

As we’ve seen, you should avoid eyeliner altogether for natural makeup looks, generally speaking. Berry lips, even if they’re coupled with a nude eye, are never going to look natural either. Thus, the key to emphasizing when you’re trying to achieve a natural makeup look is to only go a few shades darker or lighter than your natural one.

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BumpNews

The ‘Shahs Of Sunset’ Beef Has Gone Off the HIPPA Rails

Posted on May 24, 2019

The Shahs of Sunset feud between former besties Reza Farahan and Mercedes “MJ” Javid has turned really really ugly now that one of the cast members is being accused of violating federal HIPPA (Health Information Privacy Protection Act laws!

It all started when Javid accused all but one (Shervin ) of her fellow cast members of that BravoTV show of not visiting her in the ICU (intensive care unit) after being admitted there following a very challenging and life -threatening C-section delivery of her first child.

After struggling with infertility and going through a few IVF rounds, and enduring several other complications and extended bed rest, the 46-year gave birth to son Shams Frances Feight on April 17th.

The other cast members clapped back at Javid’s claim!

The most damaging and maybe illegal clapback happened in a series of screenshots that accidentally included MJ’s home address, phone number and other private info regarding medical procedures that took place and personal fertility info.

“When you’re evil and plotting against your best friend of 30 years, make sure not to leave receipts in plain sight,” Farahan captioned his post, where he included screenshots of his text exchanges with Javid, adding, “If none of my friends came to see me while I was in ICU giving birth I’d look inward.”

javid’s husband Tommy Feight reportedly responded by going to Farahan’s home and trashing a few potted plants which Farahan’s husband Adam Neely allegedly witnessed from the couple’s porch cam.

By Monday, May 20, Farahan had filed a restraining order with legal documents obtained by E! News including allegations by Farahan that Feight “called and said he was going to kill me.”

LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) confirmed to E! News that “officers took a report after an act of vandalism occurred at the address.”

Though a lot of people speculated the feud and drama might have been feigned for the show, insiders claim it is real and with them getting the police and courts involved, it’s not looking fabricated to me either.

“MJ is confused and heartbroken that her friends haven’t congratulated her on Shams’ birth, or asked about her health after she nearly died,” an inside source told E! News. “Not even her best friend Reza has reached out to her. Reza stopped contacting her a few weeks ago, and his since unfollowed her on social media.”

According to the E! News report, MJ initially claimed she planned to skip season 9 but has been seen filming. The other members of the cast Destiney Rose, Golnesa Gharachedaghi, Mike Shouhed and Nema Vand, have all been seen filming for the show.

MJ was the last to sign in for another season.

On Wednesday, Farahan apologized for the leak of private info and clarified the spat

“I want to make an apology and clarify something, then sign off,” he captioned his video apology on Instagram. “In my haste to get the timeline of events out, I included a text w/ sensitive information, that was sent to me by Tommy, using MJ’s phone. For that I’m truly sorry.”

The reality TV star continued, “I had forgotten that was in there and I genuinely wish I could go back and cut that one out. Unfortunately it’s out and I’m very sorry. Our lives are more important than a feud. I can’t explain how unsettling it is to feel unsafe in our own home, so we’re signing off.”

In his post, he tagged fellow cast Mates.

Feight defended his actions:

“This is how my wife spent her 1st 2 days as a mom—it was without a doubt the most terrifying experience I have ever been through, i have never felt so alone and helpless and even now I can’t think of this experience without breaking down—she is a warrior and stronger then any women I know—she is my Queen my hero and my universe,” he wrote to his followerswith a photo of MJ from the hospital. “I will let NO ONE disrespect minimize and devalue all that she went through to bring our son into this world—i took vows to protect her and keep her safe and I will do that until my last dying breath #tillthedirt #myqueen #smother #khaleesi #bendtheknee.”

MJ reposted the image.

In sum, it appeared that having a baby is a sure fire way for your childless and single friends to forget about you or leave you out.

It happened to original cast member Asa Soltan who left the show after becoming a mother.

Also, in my unsolicited opinion, if these folks really aren’t her true “friends” and maybe just TV show cast member “friends” if they cannot be there or hangout and socialize with each other when the cameras aren’t rolling.

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Memorial Day Pool Opening Summer Skin Saving Tips

Posted on May 23, 2019

Just a public service sharing of some new information from St. Jude for parents about caring for their children’s skin this upcoming Memorial Day pool-opening season through Summer and beyond:

With the official start of summer this Memorial Day weekend, pediatric skin cancer specialists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are urging parents to take the necessary steps to protect their children when they are out in the sun this holiday weekend, including poolside or at the beach.

“During the Memorial Day weekend, parents should take simple steps to protect their children from extreme sun exposure, including avoiding going out when sun rays are strong and keeping infants out of the sun entirely,” said Alberto Pappo, M.D., director of the Solid Tumor Division at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Don’t assume children cannot get skin cancer because of their age. Unlike other cancers, the conventional melanoma that we see mostly in adolescents behaves the same as it does in adults.”

Research shows that sun damage contributes to melanoma in children and adolescents as well as adults. The research underscores the need for precautionary measures to avoid extreme sun exposure for children, including the implementation of routine prevention measures.

“While rare, melanoma is the most common type of skin cancer in younger patients and affects mostly teenagers. Children are not immune from extreme sun damage and parents should start sun protection early and make it a habit for life,” Pappo said.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a leader in pediatric melanoma research and treatment.St. Jude provides treatment and second opinions for patients with pediatric melanoma around the country and beyond. Each year, the St. Jude Pediatric and Adolescent Melanoma Referral Clinic brings patients and families to St. Jude for two days of expert consultation, as well as medical examinations by leading specialists, educational seminars and an introduction to melanoma-related resources.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it often spreads to other parts of the body. Melanoma gets its name from melanocytes—skin cells that produce a pigment called melanin, which gives skin its color.

About 76,700 new cases of melanoma in children and adults are diagnosed in the United States each year.
About 7 percent of cancers in children 15 to 19 years of age are melanomas.
Melanoma is most common in people of Caucasian descent, occurring five times more often than in Hispanics and 20 times more often than in African Americans.
Childhood melanoma may not fit into the same routine diagnosis symptoms as adults. Instead, parents should look for the following:
- A mole that changes, grows or doesn’t go away
- An odd-shaped or large mole
- A pale-colored or red bump
- A mole or bump that itches or bleed

Be safe this Summer and Vigilant parents and caregivers!

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Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt