About Us – Overview of The Foundation

The Richard David Kann (RDK) Melanoma Foundation has been working for over 25 years with communities and companies to help promote our mission through educational and programmatic events about the life-saving techniques on prevention and early detection of skin cancer, especially melanoma.  Our areas of focus are:

• Sunscreen Dispensers and Sun Smart Cities: Sunscreens help reduce the risk for skin cancer and prevent further damage from occurring. Our sun smart city and sunscreen dispenser program involves providing free sunscreen with portable touch-free dispensers. RDK Melanoma Foundation has partnered with Florida, New Jersey, California and most recently in the City of Philadelphia and Citizens Bank Park – in partnership with the Mayor’s office and the Philadelphia Phillies – to increase awareness about sun safety behavior and importance of sun protection by providing easily accessible sunscreen through dispenser units in high traffic areas where sun exposure is excessive. The sunscreen dispensers help protect thousands of residents and visitors from the dangerous effects of the sun. Protecting families by providing free sunscreen at public venues is our goal. We have partnered with parks and recreation departments, schools, outdoor sporting venues and little league fields as well as beaches and golf courses. Prevention is the key to saving lives. 

• SunSmart America™ K-12 Curriculum: The Foundation’s vision is to educate children throughout the country and give them the skills necessary to make healthy sun safety choices throughout their lives. This curriculum includes sun safety lessons, student activities and a pre & post-test to measure student’s knowledge of sun safety. This curriculum meets existing requirements in science, health, physical education and language arts and empowers them to make critical sun safe choices for healthy lives. In addition, the RDK Melanoma Foundation collaborates with schools throughout Palm Beach County Florida to implement a fun and educational contest for students, holding our annual “RDK Melanoma Monday Art contest”. This educational art contest provides vital information for young people about early detection and awareness of melanoma, and sun safety tips.

• Students Against Melanoma (SAM): a student-based program in high schools that is committed to empowering young people to lead education with their peers and communities about sun safety and prevention initiatives.  These are fully certified student clubs with a teacher/advisor and student officers, holding monthly meetings and doing community outreach projects. The program develops student leadership abilities in addition to advocating for skin cancer awareness and prevention.

• Annual Fundraiser: Eclipse Luncheon and Fashion Show. Held each February at The Breakers, Palm Beach. Over 400 attendees enjoy an auction, a gourmet luncheon and stunning runway fashion show.

• Grant funding: Over the years, the Melanoma Foundation has been provided grant monies by the Community Foundations of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Broward Community Foundation, Lost Tree Village Foundation, Toppel Foundation, Quantum Foundation, Florida Department of Health, Graham Eckes Foundation, JFK Medical Center Auxiliary, Pam Beach Country Club Foundation, Palm Beach Cancer Institute, Health Foundation of South Florida, and the National Institute of Health (NIH) to name a few. 

• Awards: The Melanoma Foundation is a twelve time winner of the American Academy of Dermatology Gold Triangle Award. The Foundation’s Founder received an award at the “Mass General 100” for the great success the Foundation has had in raising awareness about prevention and early detection of skin cancer through the SunSmart America™ program.

Deborah Kann Schwarzberg is Founder and President.

To learn more visit melanomafoundation.com or call 561-655-9655.