Big scare for Sobolewski

Blue Jays minor leaguer Mark Sobolewski, in his words, after experiencing the scare of a lifetime: 

I have not told very many people about the past few weeks or so of my life. I am posting this album to raise awareness about skin cancer. Specifically, I want people to become more aware of melanoma. I'm a healthy, strong, 25-year-old professional athlete who prides himself on his physical condition and well-being. What started as an unusual mark on my neck/throat that I thought to be an ingrown hair, pimple, or something not very serious, turned out to be a deadly form of cancer. On Dec. 29, I found out that I had melanoma. Needless to say I was completely shocked and scared. For those who do not know, it is the worst form of skin cancer. I am not someone who has abused the beach, gone to tanning beds, or used any tanning oils. I have, however, grown up in Florida playing lots of baseball while having fair skin, blue eyes, and some moles. After meeting with a specialist in Tampa, I had surgery Jan. 11 to remove much of the surrounding area and two surrounding lymph nodes in hopes of eliminating the problem and seeing that it did not spread anywhere. Today, I am happy to say that it did not spread anywhere!

Mark Sobolewski batted .272 with eight homers and 49 RBI in his first Double-A season. Kevin Littlefield photo

I am truly fortunate and blessed that this was caught in time. Thanks to Joanie Martin for recommending that I go see a dermatologist, and thanks to Dani for having me ask her mother what she thought. To everyone: Please be sure to get your skin checked out! When detected early, doctors can save lives! I would also like to thank my family and others who were aware of this for their support and prayers. And most importantly, thanks God.