Special Report: Confronting Cancer

The wife of Red Sox ace Curt Schilling makes her own pitch, showing her scars after "Confronting Cancer". Today Schonda Schilling received the Tip O'Neil award for her foundation, which educates people about skin cancer. This mother of four says it doesn't have to happen to you if you would just listen to her message.

While her husband, Curt, uses his skills on the pitcher's mound Shonda Schilling is using hers to get a very important message out. As a young woman, this Baltimore native would spend hours in the sun working on her tan. Back then, no one thought twice about burning to get a good color base.

Shonda Schilling, Melanoma Survivor
"Every spring training I was at the pool again, tired of being cooped up, thought I needed that color to make me feel better."

But what felt good then was putting her life in danger. After the birth of her third child, Shonda noticed an irritating spot on her back.

A year later came the shocking news from her doctor -- stage-2 malignant melanoma.

Shonda Schilling, Melanoma Survivor
"He said, ‘Why are you crying?’ I said, ‘I did this to myself’. Shouldn't have any sympathy, I did all this, but on the other hand, I didn't know the magnitude of what would happen."

Shonda underwent five surgeries to cut out the skin cancer. They got it, but Shonda has yet to pass the five years cancer-free mark. Her back is now covered with scars, a constant reminder of the dangers of the sun.

Shonda Schilling, Melanoma Survivor
"If you think it can't happen to you, I'm living proof."

And Shonda is taking her proof public. She started a foundation called SHADE to educate the public about skin cancer, especially children, and give them the tools to stay away from the sun's harmful rays.

Today she was given the Tip O’Neill public service award in Boston for her work.

Shonda Schilling, Melanoma Survivor
"I've always said we have the money, fame, what everyone thought has a good life. But without health you don't have anything and no matter what Curt did, he couldln't change that. I couldn't change that."

At the family's home, Shonda shows me the winning poster from a sun safety awareness campaign for local school children. There were lots to choose from. Their four-year-old son, Grant, also models a sun proof Red Sox hat for kids.

Caterina Bandini
"How supportive Curt been?"

Shonda Schilling, Melanoma Survivor
"He's very proud because he knows how important it is to me… I feel we really need to get the message out while people are still listening to me."

Those kids hats will be passed out free to the first 4,000 kids at Sunday's Red Sox game.

You can learn more about skin cancer prevention by going to Shonda's Web site www.shadefoundation.org.