Melanoma survivor celebrates a decade beyond diagnosis

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – May 31st marks the end of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and to close it out, we share the story of an 86-year-old melanoma survivor who is redefining what it means to fight — and live — with cancer.

Clottilde “Clo” Roden has always been a fighter.

In May of 2015, doctors removed a mole that would later reveal a melanoma diagnosis. Despite swift action, the cancer returned aggressively.

After a grueling five-hour surgery, she was given just six to nine months to live.

That was ten years ago.

Now surrounded by four generations of family, Clo continues to defy the odds.

Her cancer, though advanced, has remained stable.

To this day, she celebrates each moment with her eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

“Well, good — my kids and my grandkids are all I’ve got, really. All I’ve got left,” Clo expressed, her voice filled with gratitude.

For her, family has been the anchor through uncertain times.

Her middle daughter, Diane Lunsford, recalls how the family leaned on their faith.

Diane shared, “So we just prayed that God would see us through. And it’s been a long 10 years for her, but she’s a strong woman. There’s no way I could go through half of what she went through.” Diane’s words reflect the quiet resilience Clo has demonstrated throughout her journey.

Despite the grim prognosis, fear never took hold of Clo’s spirit.

“Really truly, I’ve never been afraid of the word cancer. It’s never bothered me,” she explained.

Her courage was rooted deeply in her faith — a steadfast belief that whatever happened, she would not walk alone.

Youngest daughter Sheila Ginn held back tears as she reflected on the early days following her mother’s diagnosis.

“I’m thinking, I’m the youngest, I’m the baby. I want more time with my mom. She is my best friend and I didn’t want to lose her.”

Sheila elaborated on a memory she cherishes, from the day of Clo’s surgery:

“If she comes back through surgery, you know, I want more time with her… I want to see her breathing, looking — saying, ‘Don’t take a picture. Don’t video this.’ And then days later, asking me to see those pictures that I did take that she knew I was going to take. That’s what I wanted.”

The family’s bond has only grown stronger in the years since.

Clo’s granddaughter, Renee McKee, lights up when she talks about her Nana.

“Everybody wants to come to Nana’s house because, you know, Nana just spoils them and, you know, no rules apply here,” she laughed.

Renee, who had just welcomed her second child when Clo was first diagnosed, said she hoped her children would get the chance to know their great-Nana — a wish that has since been fulfilled.

Clo’s journey has been defined not just by survival but by love and perseverance.

She humbly noted, “Nothing has changed. It’s just sitting there. So that’s good. It’s not spreading,” offering a quiet sense of peace about her condition.

When asked what has kept her going, Clo simply points to her family and her unwavering faith.

Death, she said, has never frightened her.

She always trusted that her faith would carry her through, no matter the outcome.

Gathered around her in a moment filled with love, her family echoed their devotion with a chorus of “I love you!”

Clo smiled warmly and replied, “I love you too.”

As Skin Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Clo Roden’s story is a powerful reminder: life isn’t measured only in time, but in the love we give and receive along the way.