In early 2011, Shelton resident Madeline Schmitt started having trouble with her eyesight.
Schmitt didn’t think much of it at first. But as she tried fixes like new eyeglasses without success, she realized she might be suffering from a more serious problem.
Weeks later, in March, she finally got the diagnosis that would change her life — choroidal, or ocular, melanoma, a rare cancer that affects only six people per million each year in the U.S.
First she lost her left eye to the disease.
Since then, she’s undergone surgeries to remove part of a lung and her spleen.
Given how rare the disease is, Schmitt said she decided to do something more to raise funds and awareness.
“Ocular melanoma is what we call an ‘orphan disease,’” she said during an interview at her home Monday (Aug. 25).
The term describes medical conditions that have not been “adopted” by pharmaceutical companies to research because, since so few people suffer from them, they wouldn’t make money by developing cures.
“Six in a million people are diagnosed in a year in the United States, so there aren’t many of us,” Schmitt said. “Raising funds is difficult, and research is really needed to try and battle and cure the beast.”
“So I decided the only way I could do anything for myself was to raise funds,” Schmitt went on. “And make people aware of the disease. I had never heard of it before I was diagnosed.”
She brought up the idea with her son and three daughters — BJ Schmitt, Tina Schiappa, Kim Gugliotti, and Rachel Hurley — and her husband, Brian.
Her family has been a bedrock of support throughout the ordeal, she said.
BJ, a longtime softball player, thought of starting a softball tournament fundraiser.
So, with the help of his family and friends, he organized one.
The first took place last August.
“We really had a great crowd,” Schmitt said. “We have great family and friends and the boys on the teams, I’ve known since they were youngsters. They’re all men now, and they are a tremendous support for the event. They really step up to the plate.”
Literally and figuratively — the event drew about 150 people, and raised $3,500. Counting online donations for the event, more than $6,000 was donated to the Melanoma Research Foundation, Schmitt said.
Article continues after photos from last year’s tournament, courtesy of Amanda Eye Karpenko.
The family is hoping they can raise even more the second time around, and have planned the second tournament for Sept. 6 (rain date Sept. 7) at East Village Park in Shelton — the entrance to the park is off East Village Road west of its intersection with Lagana Lane.
Games will start at 9 a.m. — and don’t worry, coffee and donuts will be available, too.
About 11 a.m. more food will go on sale, BJ Schmitt said, crediting local businesses for stepping up with donations — David Grant Catering, Blanchette’s Sporting Goods, Addeo’s Italian Ice, Cityline Distributors, Pioneer Gas, Crystal Restoration, and JP McGuire.
“We’d love to boost our attendance,” Schmitt said. “We’re going to have popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, drinks, a 50/50 raffle, and a prize raffle with donations.”
If you own a local business and would like to make a donation, you can call Madeline Schmitt at 203 – 929-7151, or BJ Schmitt at 203 – 683-8798.
Monetary donations may be made online BY CLICKING HERE.
The tournament will mark the end of Schmitt’s first summer without a health scare since 2011.
“I’ve had a healthy summer and I’m grateful,” she said. “I live every day to its fullest. I have no choice. When you have no choice you just have to do it.”
She said she’s enjoyed spending time with her seven grandchildren, and is looking forward to being able to spend the winter in Florida for the first time.
“I’m tested every six months, with minor blood tests in between,” Schmitt said. “So I cross my fingers, hold my breath, and say a prayer.”
