A Sun Safe Summer Begins with UV Awareness Month

From the desk of MRF CEO Kyleigh LiPira:

July is Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month and as the heat wave continued across the United States, many of us have experienced the intensity of the sun. Our goal at the MRF is to educate and empower the community about how to stay sun safe and ultimately prevent melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer. A safe tan doesn’t exist, and intentionally tanned skin is actually the result of damage to skin cells and too much UV radiation from the sun or a tanning bed. This exposure causes as much as 90% of melanomas. The good news is that 9 out of 10 cases of melanoma are considered to be preventable and that is why we are so focused on education and awareness at the MRF from babies to adults. In addition to sun safe clothing choices and avoiding peak hours of exposure, applying broad spectrum sunscreen is an important way to prevent sun damage. Neutrogena is currently offering a co-branded sunscreen available at Walgreens locations across the country and generously donating $1 to the MRF for every bottle sold; look for our logo on the bottle and stock up today! You can learn more about ways to prevent melanoma and stay sun safe by visiting our Education Institute.

Another key part of the MRF’s mission is supporting research and investing in cutting-edge science that will directly benefit melanoma patients and their loved ones. During Melanoma Awareness Month we partnered with TV Personality, Wellness Coach and co-host of the top-rated podcast, Two T’s in a Pod, Teddi Mellencamp who shared her stage II melanoma story. We also announced a new Prevention Research Grant in honor of Teddi, with a goal of raising $100,000 to fund a two-year research award. You can donate here to support this important prevention grant opportunity.

On behalf of the entire MRF team, we hope you are enjoying a happy, healthy and sun safe summer, and are so grateful for your support.

With gratitude,

Community Highlight: Bob's Bobbers

If you have attended the Miles for Melanoma DC 5k in recent years, you've probably seen Bob's Bobbers, one of the largest teams each year clad in their signature red and white attire. Team Captain Amy Wychulis Vallance, a two-time melanoma caregiver, recently shared a guest blog post about the inspiration for the team and why she is a strong supporter of the melanoma community in memory of her father, or as he was known to his family, "Jojgee." In recognition of her dedication to the Miles for Melanoma community, Amy is a recipient of the 2023 Team Captain Excellence Award and will be honored at the 2024 DC Miles event. We are extremely grateful to Amy, Team Bob's Bobbers and all the incredible individuals and teams in communities across the country who come together to walk, run and raise critical funds for life-saving melanoma research.