The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is poised to celebrate and honor the melanoma community at its 23rd Annual New York City Gala on Thursday, October 24, at The Plaza Hotel. As the largest independent organization devoted to eradicating melanoma, the MRF’s NYC Gala brings together melanoma patients, survivors, clinicians, researchers and supporters for an inspirational event that provides mission-critical funding for the work being done to end melanoma.
Melanoma is a type of cancer that most often affects the skin. It occurs in melanocytes – the cells that produce the pigment melanin that colors the skin, hair and eyes. Over 1.4 million people live with melanoma in the United States, and approximately 200,300 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma in 2024. The good news is that prevention is an option. Research indicates that nearly 93 percent of cutaneous (skin) melanomas can be linked to ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure. UV exposure is preventable if individuals adhere to sun-safe practices like applying SPF 30+ or higher sunscreen, wearing UPF protective clothing, seeking shade when outdoors and scheduling annual dermalogical skin checks. Taking steps to prevent melanoma is the best first step to protecting yourself and your skin.
The MRF is committed to ensuring everyone has access to the education and resources needed to protect their skin. Through the annual gala, attendees and donors will have the opportunity to fund research grants at medical institutions across the US and internationally. To date, the MRF has funded over $25 million in research grants that have led to major breakthroughs, new treatments and international collaborations in the melanoma field.
This year, the MRF is elated to receive support from NewBeauty as a media sponsor, helping to enable a magical evening.
Melanoma patient and advocate, TV personality, wellness coach, co-host of the “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast and 2023 #GetNaked Spokesperson, Teddi Mellencamp will headline the evening as event emcee. The MRF will honor Daniel Coit, MD, FACS, Attending Surgeon Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with a Humanitarian Award. Miami Dolphins Running back and 2024 #GetNaked Spokesperson, Raheem Mostert, will receive a Courage Award along with Marit Peterson, a pediatric melanoma survivor.
Julie Russak, MD, FAAD of Russak Dermatology Clinic, will receive the Compassionate Care Award. Of her award, Dr. Russak posits, “Being a dermatologist, I am in a unique position to make a profound difference in people’s lives every day just by educating them about the importance of sun protection and skin checks. By advancing research, promoting early detection, and providing compassionate care, we can transform the fight against melanoma and offer hope and support to those affected. It has never been just a profession; it’s a commitment to improving lives.”
Finally, Celebrity Esthetician, Ian Michael Crumm, will be honored with this year’s Influencer Award stating, “As a kid, I learned about the importance of caring for one’s skin from my grandma, AKA Glamie. While swimming at the pool, I pointed out a scar on her right leg, and she told me about needing to have a melanoma removed back in 1985. This was my first time hearing about the disease, and it drove home the importance of wearing sunscreen. When I got older, my passion for advocating for skin health equaled my love of the more lighthearted, cosmetically-focused aspects of skincare, which eventually led me to become an esthetician. Now, leading with knowledge from professional training, posting on social media, hosting events, and working with other skin health champions gives me an amazing platform to raise awareness for skin cancer and melanoma. Glamie has always been a big inspiration in my life. I am so thankful that she is still with us and that I can raise money for melanoma awareness in her honor. I hope to encourage everyone who comes in contact with my content to see dermatologists for regular skin checks so we can save as many lives as possible from this horrible, fast-metastasizing disease.”
To learn more about the NYC Gala, and to purchase tickets and sponsorships, you can visit: www.melanoma.org/NYGala2024.
1 Islami F, Marlow EC, Thomson B, McCullough ML, Rumgay H, Gapstur SM, Patel AV, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A. Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States, 2019. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024 Jul 11. doi: 10.3322/caac.21858. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38990124.
