In 2003 she was running on the beach in Santa Monica and was stopped by a dermatologist who spotted a mole on her back just above her bikini top.

If left unchecked, melanoma would have killed her. 
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He told her to see a doctor immediately and she did. It was a Clark Level 3 melanoma. If left unchecked, melanoma would have killed her.

Annie Appleby is a late-stage melanoma survivor who has passed her 5-year mark.  She is based in California and teaches yoga in the San Francisco area. She also founded YogaForce, a luxury brand company specializing in yoga and Pilates mats and spa accessories. Actor Tobey Maguire has signed a YogaForce A-Line Mat, and YogaForce is auctioning it off on eBay starting May 15 through May 25, 2013.  Net proceeds from the winning bid amount will be donated to the Academy for SPOT Skin Cancer™.