UAB Department of Surgery and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center teamed up this summer to support melanoma awareness at the inaugural Steps Against Melanoma Walk at Veterans Park in Hoover.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and is responsible for about 20 deaths in the United States every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

“While mortality rates have continued to decline for melanoma cases, there is still much work that needs to be done,” says UAB Surgical Oncology Assistant Professor Ashley Holder, M.D. “The greatest steps we can all take are prevention — utilize sun protection, stay away from tanning beds, and look out for abnormal moles.”

The inaugural event raised over $7,000 from 61 supporters to dedicate to research through the AIM at Melanoma foundation.