Francine Smiling has battled melanoma not once, not twice, but five times.
First diagnosed in 2004, her most recent experience with one of the most dreaded types of cancer was in 2008.
"The first time, we found it in my toe," she said. "I was diagnosed with lupus in the early 1990s, and so I watch my health a lot. A mole popped up on my toe, and it started hurting."
Smiling went to several doctors and traveled all the way to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and eventually was told after a biopsy that she had melanoma.
"It was in Stage 4, and I had surgery immediately," she said.
Her second experience with melanoma was in a more delicate place.
"I had a spot of it in my private area," Smiling said. "I think it's important to be open about these things because by sharing your story you may help someone else."
Found during a pap smear, this bout of melanoma was "excruciating," Smiling said.
"The surgeries required them to go in and take it out by layers," she said. "It was awful. It was extremely painful."
Smiling was one of dozens of cancer survivors who attended Clarendon County Relay for Life on Friday at Manning High School's Ramsey Stadium.
She said Relay for Life means "finding a cure" for her.
"I also love being able to talk with other people and telling them my story and hearing theirs," she said. "Hopefully, they can learn from yours and you can learn from theirs."
Smiling is also adamant about others getting regular checkups.
"Especially for melanoma, I'm always telling people they need to get something checked if they're unsure about it," she said. "A lot of times, when they find melanoma, it's too late. I was really fortunate."
