Melanoma doesn’t care how tough you are, how rarely you see the doctor, or how “minor” that mole looks. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned at Man Up to Cancer, it’s that no cancer is small when it’s happening to you.

Growing up, Katelynn Herman never imagined that cancer would become part of her family's story. As the daughter of Eric Herman, a dedicated Man Up to Cancer member, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges, strength, and resilience that come with a parent’s diagnosis. In this heartfelt essay, Katelynn shares her perspective on what it means to navigate adolescence while carrying the weight of her father’s illness—a story of love, growth, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child.