EVMS Department of Dermatology and Melanoma Awareness

Why we run:  I lost my best friend of 30 years and running partner in February 2013 to Melanoma, her name was Mary “Diddie” Ossi. She adored her husband and she loved both of her sons Nick & Thomas immensely. Diddie loved sailing, gardening, flower arranging, the beach, running, her family, her friends, her church…her life. Diddie was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, RED SOX fan and amazing at all of it. When her cancer spread to her brain, she could no longer teach. (Diddie was a former teacher of the year at Larchmont Elementary and both of her parents are retired teachers) Diddie told me that even though she was no longer standing in front of a classroom and teaching, she was still teaching; Teaching doctors the effectiveness of new groundbreaking melanoma drugs. Teaching her friends and family that she wasn’t giving up without a good ole fashioned “red headed” fight. Diddie was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. I learned what an incredible impact Diddie made on children as a teacher when I read all of the messages sent to her by former students.

Cancer does not discriminate and children and their families are sometimes the hardest hit. EVMS Department of Dermatology and Melanoma Awareness just seems like a perfect fit. I have permission from Diddie’s family to make the donation to EVMS in Diddie’s memory.