Lehigh Valley Health Network presented its fifth annual Melanoma Community Forum on May 18 in the Kaysch Family Pavilion at the hospital’s Salisbury Township campus.

The presentation, which drew several dozens of people to the pavilion, celebrated survivor recovery and discussed the changing treatment for the cancer.

The forum was attended by survivors, their families, health-care workers and members of the public.

Dr. Suresh Nair, medical oncologist at Lehigh Valley Health Network, explained that in the past five years, the hospital has seen a dramatic increase in the number of melanoma survivors.

Physicians such as Nair used the event to educate survivors and others presently seeking treatment about the changing way melanoma is treated at the hospital, including use of immunotherapy, rather than chemotherapy.

Several survivors shared their stories of treatment at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Richard, who beat stage three melanoma, praised the health network’s staff. He was among the first patients the hospital used newer, gamma knife treatments to beat the cancer.

Nair told everyone in attendance he wanted the forum to be a wonderful celebration of life and progress.