Donor Support and Events
In 2025 we had 43 new CommUNITY Fundraising events to support our mission. Interested in hosting your own fundraising event? Please contact volunteer@melanoma.org for more information.
Featured CommUNITY Fundraisers
#GetNakedJax In October of 2025, the 5th annual #GetNakedJax event was held in Jacksonville, FL, at the illustrious TPC Sawgrass. This year, the event raised an incredible $244,638 thanks to generous donations, sponsorships and a live auction. These funds will support a Career Development Award for Dan Erkes, PhD, at Thomas Jefferson University for his project researching if pyroptosis may improve immunotherapy responses for melanoma patients. The impact of research was highlighted by the evening’s keynote speaker, Bill Daly, who spoke about his journey as a melanoma patient and thriver.
Stay Out of the Sun Run In May of 2025, the CommUNITY Fundraising program worked with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, to put on the Stay Out of the Sun Run. With generous support from the Mayo Clinic, along with a passionate group of participants and donors, this successful 5K run raised over $18,000!
DC Wings of Hope Reception Our DC Wings of Hope event was revitalized this year, featuring a book signing reception with melanoma thriver, advocate, MRF Board Member and author Cheryl Stratos! In her book, Terminal Hope: How a Clinical Trial Saved My Life, Cheryl shares the powerful role that innovative research plays in transforming outcomes and expanding hope for patients and families.
Black and White Ball The Reese Ward Foundation, founded in memory of Cameron Reese Ward, held its inaugural Black and White Ball at the prestigious Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, NC. The MRF was one of two beneficiaries, receiving $100K to fund a Career Development Award to advance life-saving research efforts. The Ward family’s generosity and dedication allow the MRF to offer vital support to melanoma patients and families.
29 • Stewardship Report
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