After surviving melanoma, Neil Gaines wanted to help. Here’s how he did it. - Gainesville Times

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After surviving melanoma, Neil Gaines wanted to help. Here’s how he did it.

Melanoma fundraiser coming to an end after 10 years, raising $140,000-plus

Neil Gaines stands with his family and Dr. David Lawson on November 10, 2015 at Emory University Hospital after donating $20,000 to its Winship Cancer Institute. Gaines is hosting his last MelaNoMo'! fundraiser since its inception in 2009, the year after he was diagnosed with melanoma. Photo by Jack Kearse/Emory University

10042018 MELANOMO — Neil Gaines stands with his family and Dr. David Lawson on November 10, 2015 at Emory University Hospital after donating $20,000 to its Winship Cancer Institute. Gaines is hosting his last MelaNoMo'! fundraiser since its inception in 2009, the year after he was diagnosed with melanoma. Photo by Jack Kearse/Emory University

After his oncologist reminded him this year that he had beat cancer, Neil Gaines, 33, had an epiphany: He finally realized it was time to put the cancer, and one of the toughest spans in his young life, behind him.