About Us
Emily McAuliffe is a marketing professional in the Silicon Valley.
Mike McAuliffe is a project manager for a company that builds cell sites in San Francisco.
Mike and Aidan 2004
Together, they have been married for 10 years and have made two lovely children, Caitlin (8) and Aidan (6).
Two boxers, a fish ponds, and a fish tank also make up their extended family.
Boxers - Kashi & Junior
Koi Pond
Em and Michael's Blog 
Hi Emily and Mike,
I ran across your blog while searching for another one, but I wanted to say “hi.” I “met” you on the MIF forum about a year ago, when I was diagnosed with melanoma shortly after Mike was. Our melanoma statistics were quite similar, but I ended up at Stage 1b since it hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes.
Bottom line, I’m glad to see Mike is doing well one year post-surgery, and that your family is doing well, too.
Best Regards, Tad
October 11, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Hi Tad! Yes, I remember you well and thanks for contacting me! Those days when he was first diagnosed were so rough and I don’t wish that on anyone. Mike has recovered well and I hope you have also. Please stay in touch. Emily
October 11, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Hi Em and Michael, I just found your blog tonight. From New Jersey, I am a college student that advocates for melanoma prevention and awareness. When melanoma hit my mom in the eye, it hit me in the heart. I’ve been trying to think of ways to spread the message and have just created the “Pledge to be Pale” on change.org. I hope you will pledge and join in the movement by sharing this link with family, friends, etc: https://www.change.org/p/united-states-surgeon-general-pledge-to-be-pale?recruiter=24323311&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
October 14, 2014 at 11:33 pm
Emily,
I’m Tommy’s mom. http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/investigations/106491678.html?tab=video This is a link the Bakersfield news station ran covering the story of our boys’ battle and their clinical study. With the exception of getting Tommy’s age off by a year, it is really done well.
My sister (she is interviewed in the above segment) called me to read what you wrote to Tommy. It moved her greatly. The family is upset that Brandon was “opted” out for the pills, but we know that it is part of the study and Brandon made the ultimate sacrifice for it. His death means something.
Thank you for reaching out and helping her deal with the terrible loss.
Sincerely,
Kim
December 11, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Hi,
My name is Kimberly Davis and I am co-founder of the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund.
First of all, please let me express my sincere condolences to the family of Brandon Ryan, and my sincere prayers and best wishes to Michael, Tommy, and everyone else fighting this crazy disease.
The David Cornfield is a small organization with big dreams of making sense of the senseless loss of our many loved ones.
We have raised a bunch of money and hired an international production company, Evidently, to help us produce a melanoma awareness ad aimed at teenagers and young adults. That was the easy part. To my surprise, it has proved very difficult to get patients or families who are willing to share their stories.
We have scheduled the shoot date for January 20th in Toronto, Ontario and we would pay for any travel costs. The actual shoot would take about 2 hours.
If any one is willing to share their story, it would be really, really appreciated. I realize its a big commitment, but as you know its so important to get the word out.
Best wishes to all.
Kim D.
December 21, 2010 at 3:37 am
Dear Kim – thanks for your note. I am so sorry for what you and your family have gone through. I wish I could give more but I am going to post an entry about Tommy and his battle and I hope more people will donate to him also. Brandon is not forgotten by the many people battling melanoma. Clinical trials are really the only option for most people with the disease and the world now knows that there are some serious problems with how melanoma trials are conducted…thanks to you and your family, sister, Brandon, Tommy, for exposing these issues. The NY Times story got so much coverage for melanoma..and know it will help people understand. God bless you! Please send my best to Tommy. We are thinking of him.
Emily
December 11, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Hi I hope things are well for you both. I was diagnosed with Stage III metastatic melanoma last summer and had a few surgeries to remove the cancer and all the lymph nodes under my right arm. I guess I am writing because I do not exactly know how to feel.
I have read some really bad stuff, but I do not feel that bad. I am noticing changes in my skin or my face and neck, but nothing really definitive. I just went in for my first 3 month check up and after a super-brief check up I was sent home and they’ll see me again in 3 more months. I don’t know what to expect. I am not afraid, but if I am going to go, I have a few things I want to accomplish first.
How sick will I get? How fast? Can someone shed some light? Thanks, your Mole Buddy Sheenah in Colorado
March 9, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Emily – indeed saddened about Mindy, she inspired me on many fronts and I feel a real loss even though we were hardly close. I guess that is what happens when you share something so few go through. Hope all is well with you, and Mike and NED.
September 6, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Hi Mike, I was diagnosed with 3A melanoma in December, had sentinel biopsy in Jan, was given the all clear then a week later it was reversed – they found a TINY trace in the sentinel node. Pretty devastating and resulted in some dark moments, but I quickly moved to acceptance and am ready to beat this. I believe there isn’t melanoma in any of my other lymph nodes (believe / hope!) and so opted not to have the nodes removed – I don’t need lymphadema if I’m gonna be ok right – I hope ‘m right anyway? Anyway, I’ve been overwhelmed by reading all the diverse and crazy stories on the net but feel like yours is the closest to mine that I’ve come across. Myself and my fiance are ready to stick it to the big M. I just hope our outcomes are the same – both positive. I haven’t posted anywhere else but I wanted to say that I have been inspired by reading this blog. I wanted to ask one question, after all you’ve been through, obviously the support of your family and friends has been vital and I guess positivity, but in terms of diet, what would you say has helped you the most? I’m 31, sporty, happily engaged to my beautiful fiance and am determined to beat this.
March 21, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Nick – I sent you an email – thanks so much for your post. Yes, Your story is very familiar. I hope to hear back from you but our advice would be to eat well (most of the time), exercise, take vitamin D and aspirin…and most of all – ENJOY AND APPRECIATE YOUR LIFE! Take care, – Emily
March 22, 2012 at 12:55 am
Hi NickA – I chose the same as you, had micromets in one of two lymph nodes from the SNB and opted not to have the remaining lymph nodes removed. I hope I’ve made the right choice. I go for my first sonogram in January 2013.
December 12, 2012 at 12:23 pm
What a darling family! I would love a copy of the article about ipi and til treatments you mentioned on the mpip board. Best of luck to you!
Thanks!
Alisa
May 9, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Thanks Alisa! I will send it to you via email. Take care! Emily
May 9, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Hi! My name is Laura, or “Giggles” as I am known at Camp Kesem. I came across your blog and wanted to let you know about our organization called Camp Kesem Berkeley. We are a non-profit organization that provides a free week of summer camp to children whose parents have or have had cancer in addition to events throughout the year. The week is all about giving the kids the chance to meet other kids in the same situation and to just have fun and be kids! If you are interested or know other families who would be, please send us an email and I’d love to tell you more! 🙂
December 9, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Hi there, I’m not sure if you’re still blogging or checking this email, but I just recently (like 2 weeks ago) found out I have malignant melanoma behind my ear and just had surgery yesterday. I came across your blog and have found it settling to read about other people’s experiences. I’m terrified but staying strong, thank you!
August 7, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Steph – yes I check it all time! Sorry you were just diagnosed. It is a scary time. Do you have the Breslow depth or preliminary stage yet? I am happy to help you with advice during this time – just email me at emily@emandmichael.com. You can also post to the https://emandmichael.wordpress.com/melanoma-information/ page with your story and others who follow your blog will most likely respond to your message.
August 7, 2013 at 6:52 pm