DC Wings of Hope for Melanoma Gala on February 24, 2018 to Benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DC Wings of Hope for Melanoma Gala on February 24, 2018 to Benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF)

Washington, D.C. – DC Wings of Hope will host the 8^th Annual Gala on February 24, 2018, to benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). The previous gala raised $250,000 to support medical research for finding effective treatments and, one day, a cure for melanoma.

This year’s gala will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, and we are excited to welcome award-winning CNN journalist Fredricka Whitfield as our Mistress of Ceremonies. The gala will also feature a legendary keynote speaker: Hall of Fame baseball player and melanoma survivor, Mike Schmidt. Mike is often considered the greatest third baseman in baseball history and spent 18 seasons in the Major Leagues racking up impressive stats and accolades. Even with such a historic career, today he believes that melanoma is the biggest game-changer of his life so he has joined forces with Merck on Your Cancer Game Plan, a national awareness effort focused on helping people with cancer and their loved ones take an active role in developing a “game plan” to support the emotional, health and communication challenges of living with cancer. He will share his heartfelt story about his battle with melanoma and you don’t want to miss it! The gala will also include an evening of exquisite food and drinks, live music, silent/live auctions, and the opportunity to network with local business leaders.

Melanoma affects people at a younger age than most other cancers. The average age of diagnosis is 50, impacting people at the prime of their life and the top of their career. It is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in people ages 15-29 and is the leading cause of cancer death for women ages 25-30. The incidence of melanoma is rising at alarming rates and it is increasingly the topic of coverage in fashion magazines and in the cosmetic industry.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or making a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website at www.dcwingsofhope.com. For questions, please contact Ashley Schubert at [email protected] or Julie Shuey at 571-267-2116.

About the MRF

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest non-profit in the country working exclusively in the area of melanoma. Since its founding, the MRF has distributed millions of dollars to support scientific research focused on melanoma, its causes and prevention. This commitment to research is led by a Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of the leading melanoma researchers and clinicians in the world. Through a number of patient education and awareness activities, the MRF impacts tens of thousands of people affected by melanoma each year.