Moffitt Welcomes Pint-Size Patients for Pediatric Melanoma Clinic Day
Once a year, Moffitt Cancer Center welcomes younger patients to its pediatric melanoma clinic. It’s a rare instance where Moffitt experts see children at the McKinley Outpatient Center.
Vernon Sondak, MD, chair of Moffitt’s Cutaneous Oncology Department, calls it “a different kind of day.”
“We recognize that when they have to come to the doctor’s office, it brings back some of those unpleasant memories,” Sondak said. “That’s one reason why we try to make our annual kids clinic fun and as stress free as possible, so they actually look forward to it rather than dread the appointment.”
While it is rare, children are at risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, especially in Florida.
Isaiah Mainer, 15, has been Sondak’s patient for four years. He and his mother, Stephanie, travel to Moffitt from Pensacola once a year to remain vigilant against skin cancer. Every six months, Isaiah sees a dermatologist.
“When he was 3 years old, he had a bump on his face and we opted to have it removed for cosmetic reasons,” Stephanie said. “Since our insurance covered pathology, we had them send it off, never expecting to hear from them. But we did.”
Doctors diagnosed Isaiah with metastatic nodular melanoma, a type of skin cancer that’s also known as stage 4 melanoma. It’s a particularly aggressive type of skin cancer. Fortunately, he’s been cancer free for more than 11 years.
Isaiah Mainer and his mom, Stephanie, travel from Pensacola each year for Moffitt's pediatric melanoma clinic.
His annual trip to Moffitt gives him and his mom an opportunity to do more than just visit doctors’ offices, he said.
“We’ve seen the Rays play, we go to Busch Gardens and I love the exotic car lot,” Isaiah said.
Yuna Choi, 10, has been meeting with Sondak for only six months, but she’s excited that she’s cancer free as she heads off to sixth grade soon.
“I’m looking forward to middle school because it will have new experiences and new things to do,” Yuna said. “When I grow up, I want to be a dermatologist because they help kids like me.”
Yuna had a congenital nevus, better known as a birthmark, removed from her foot. Sondak was her surgeon. Her father, Jung Choi, works in Moffitt’s radiology department and was familiar with Sondak’s work and reputation of treating pediatric cases.
“I’m thrilled because Dr. Sondak gave his blessing today and shared there are no issues and there is no need to come back and see him until next year,” Jung Choi said. “And that’s just to keep an eye on things.
Other than meeting with Sondak and other cutaneous experts, Moffitt’s younger patients had an opportunity to interact with several pet therapy dogs.
“I like it here,” Isaiah said. “It isn’t miserable and sad like other hospitals, and I loved getting to see the therapy dogs.”
Yuna was especially smitten with Sugar, a small therapy dog that was more than happy to receive all of her attention.
For Stephanie Mainer, the annual visit reaffirms her commitment to protecting her family from the Florida sun. She’s also taken it upon herself to be the mom who is always equipped with sunblock, she said.
“Isaiah plays travel ball and when the other moms forget sunscreen, they know that I have plenty for everyone,” she said. “I’m always happy to talk about the importance of protecting yourself from the sun.”
And so is her son. In 2017, he had the opportunity to speak to the United States Congress about the importance of cancer funding, and he’s always willing to offer advice to anyone who is newly diagnosed with skin cancer.
“Don’t let it affect your whole life,” he said. “Don’t change your attitude and stay positive. Some people get bad news and then act like jerks. Don’t be like that.”
Sondak said he and his team enjoy this special day in the clinic and look forward to it each year. He’s treated many of them for years, and he’s watched them grow up.
“So many of our ‘kids’ have grown,” Sondak said. “Next year we’re going to call it ‘Young Adults Clinic,’ but we’ll still try to keep it fun and low key.”
