RayZ Awareness of Melanoma
Bill Walter III Melanoma Research Fund
Research | Outreach | Education
B.W. III Melanoma Research Fund
Our Vision & Mission
The vision and mission of the Bill Walter III Melanoma Research Fund is to help find a cure for melanoma by supporting promising melanoma research. The Fund also assists melanoma patients who are undergoing treatment, and endeavors to save lives by raising awareness of the dangers of melanoma.
Our mission is in memory of Bill Walter III who died from malignant melanoma in 1998 after a long fight. Now we fight the fight for Bill and all the others out there who have or had loved ones with this terrible disease.
What Is Melanoma?
Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor that accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.
Nearly 100,000 cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2022 alone. However, melanoma is often curable if detected and treated in its early stages. Click below to learn more about how you can help yourself and others fight to find and prevent melonama.
Finding a cure
Melanoma Research & Support
The Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund (BWMRF) has raised nearly $500,000 to assist with medical bills for melanoma patients since it began in 1998. Many of these recipients are from the front range of Colorado. The BWMRF has also awarded $200,000 in research for medical grants and clinical trials.
We RAYZ Awareness To Save Lives
Greater than 50% of adults have no or minimal knowledge of melanoma.
Melanoma rates of diagnosis
The rates of melanoma have been rising rapidly over the past few decades, but can vary by age.
The young are not immune
Melanoma is the number one cancer of women under 35.
Less time to react
If not caught and treated early, melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Regular examination
Schedule yearly skin cancer screening and examine skin monthly for early detection.
Sun protection
Wear SPF 15 and higher on exposed skin and wear sunglasses and hats when possible.
ABCDE
Assemetry. Borders. Color. Diameter. Evolving.
Subscribe
Stay up-to-date on melanoma news and future foundation events.