Every year, melanoma takes 8,000 people from their loved ones across the country. Despite a high cure rate for those who are diagnosed early, there are currently no effective treatments for melanoma once it has invaded the body.

Unfortunately, melanoma research has suffered from a lack of funding in recent years, despite the growing incidence of the disease. In fact, there has not been a major initiative to target melanoma in over a decade.

The Foundation for Melanoma Research is dedicated to raising awareness about melanoma and funding research into increased prevention, early detection, and new treatments. With your help, we can make progress toward the day when scientists develop a cure.

WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR

• The 1st Annual Foundation for Melanoma Research 'Running For Cover at the Wachovia Complex' Run/Walk was held Sunday, June 25 at 9 a.m. Runners and walkers gathered at the Wachovia Center, to raise money and awareness for melanoma research, celebrate survivors and honor loved ones who lost their battle with melanoma. This family-friendly event offers many exciting ways to support the fight against melanoma. Sponsors include Sovereign Bank, Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, Tom and Marie Gorman, Philadelphia Parking Authority, Cashman & Associates, S. Walter Packaging Corp., Burland Jewelry Center, Inc., City Year, Chubb, Hartford , AIG, Aramark, Mitchell and Ness and Whole Foods. Form a team, come out with your family and be part of the next one -June 28, 2008
• Our foundation supports the efforts of young people to contribute to causes. The Young Contributors Award 2006 was given to Aaron O'Neill for his fundraising efforts in aid of melanoma research.
• We organized the first annual Melanoma Research Congress, which took place in Philadelphia in June of 2003. The Congress, which was supported and partially funded by the Foundation, increased communication between melanoma researchers and addressed the need for additional funds and scientists. Participants and supporters of the Congress inaugurated the Society for Melanoma Research, a new coalition group that will help amplify our "voice" and aid our advocacy efforts.
• This spring we expanded on last year's "Save Our Skin" melanoma awareness and free screening program at Philadelphia-area high schools. The students who helped create the program have each been given a Foundation for Melanoma Research Educational Service Award. For more information about the S.O.S. program, please contact Kate O'Neill at oz@navpoint.com.  The program offers cash awards to eligible students through the generous contribution of the Pacifico Family Foundation. 
• The FMR hosted "Noreen's Dream," on November 15, 2002 at the University of the Arts Grand Hall in Philadelphia. 500 people joined us as we introduced the Foundation, raised nearly $100,000, and said good-bye to our founder Noreen O'Neill. Thanks to all who attended, sponsored, and helped make the event a night to remember, including Comcast/Spectator, Phoenix Mutual Funds, the Snider Family Foundation, Honorary Chair Ed Snider, and Senator John McCain.
  
  
  
• The Foundation is in its fifth year of supporting the Wallace Clark Lecture Series held in March at the University of Pennsylvania for the clinicians and researchers of the Wistar Institute and the Abramson Cancer Center.
• The FMR has established the annual Patricia Cassidy Award to encourage young researchers to enter the field of melanoma research.
• In the years 2004 and 2005 the foundation funded researcher Dr. Gavin Robertson of the Hershey Medical Center
• Implemented by board member Julie O'Malley and Noreen O'Neill's mother Eleanor Murdoch the project known as The Faces was displayed for the first time at the Second Melanoma Research Congress in Phoenix, AZ November 13-16.
• The foundation organized and supported the first two Melanoma Research Congresses and continues to support them.
• Running for Cover at the Wachovia Complex inaugural event was held on June 24th, 2006 and will be held June 25th 2007.
• With the Melanoma Research Foundation in the lead, FMR helped to establish 'One Voice Melanoma' a group of melanoma organizations from around the country to raise the profile of the disease at the federal level.

	EVENTS
	2nd Annual Running For Cover Join us for a fun and fulfilling morning at the Wachovia Complex on June 24, 2007 for the 2nd Annual Foundation for Melanoma Research Running for Cover Run/Walk.
	Clark Lecture March 2002-2006 The foundation supports the annual Clark Lecture and melanoma symposium.

	NEWS

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