Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation

CONTACT:

66 Commonwealth Avenue
Concord, MA 01742
617-232-1424
www.massmelanoma.org

Deb Girard, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, with a rapidly increasing incidence, yet it is highly preventable and can usually be cured if detected early. The Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation fights it on three fronts: increasing awareness of the need for sun protection, aiding patients and their families, and supporting research for a cure. Founded in 1999 by Melvyn and Marilyn Rubin, who lost their 41-year-old son to metastatic melanoma, MMF has been remarkably efficient and effective in educational outreach to children under 18, which is medically important. It searched nationwide for the best school educational materials, bought them in the form of teaching kits and distributed them to over 600 schools, with the goal of supplying them to every school in Massachusetts. With the Boston Red Sox, it co-sponsored last year a Sun Awareness Day at Fenway Park with a supporting Proclamation from Mayor Menino, and is distributing those materials to 22,000 Little League players and their families across the Commonwealth. Its fundraising often contains a public-awareness dimension, such as golf tournaments, road races and fashion shows. It has made two research grants, and has just hired a part-time Executive Director. Its goal is to make Massachusetts “melanoma free” — important to all of us — and you can help.

(2004: HUMAN SERVICES: Health and Aging: Medical Research)