News & Press
MRF Names Tim Turnham as New Executive Director
For Immediate Release: January 12, 2009
Contact: Deborah J. Danuser
Jones Public Affairs
(202) 742-5256
Melanoma Research Foundation Names
Tim Turnham Executive Director
-Seasoned patient advocate to lead the largest independent,
national organization devoted to melanoma-
HILLSBOROUGH, N.J.—The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) announced today the appointment of Timothy Turnham, Ph.D. as the organization’s executive director. With a strong background in patient advocacy and non-profit development, Turnham joined the Foundation on January 5.
“We are pleased to have found a director who shares our vision of finding new treatments and, ultimately, a cure for melanoma” said Randy Lomax, chairman of the MRF. “Tim understands that by bridging the gap in melanoma research, we are ensuring patients of tomorrow have the help they need.”
As a veteran in the non-profit sector, Turnham holds more than 30 years of experience in management, fundraising, communication, teaching and research. Prior to joining the MRF, Turnham served as the chief executive officer for the Colon Cancer Alliance, as well as the director of development for the United Cerebral Palsy Associations. He has also served as the director of development for the Whitman-Walker Clinic followed by a position at the Children’s Research Institute as the director of development.
Turnham also serves as an adjunct professor for the University of Maryland. He holds a B.A. in microbiology from the University of Tennessee, a M. Div. from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“Although it is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S., most Americans are unaware of the seriousness of melanoma and its research remains woefully underfunded,” said Turnham. “I share the MRF’s commitment to support medical research to find more effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma.”
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About Melanoma
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S., and can strike people of all ages, all races and both sexes. In fact, with a one in 50 lifetime risk of developing melanoma, more than 62,000 Americans were expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2008, resulting in an estimated 8,400 deaths. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25- to 29-years-old and the second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15- to 29-years-old.
About Melanoma Research Foundation
The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent, national organization devoted to melanoma in the United States. The Foundation is committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma. The Foundation also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, while acting as an advocate for the melanoma community to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF Web site is the premier source for melanoma information seekers. More information is available at www.melanoma.org.