NEW YORK (May 18, 2026) — On May 13, The Skin Cancer Foundation held its signature annual Champions for Change Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. More than 400 guests attended — including The Skin Cancer Foundation donors, industry and physician allies, celebrity supporters and members of the media. The event was hosted by on-air correspondent for TODAY and senior editor-at-large for NewBeauty, Sarah Eggenberger, who shared her personal experience with morpheaform basal cell carcinoma during her opening remarks. The theme for the event was “Fighting Skin Cancer from Every Angle,” and the Foundation debuted a new video highlighting increased efforts to combat UV misinformation online — including the launch of a new social media campaign entitled “Expose the Truth, Not Your Skin.” The event raised more than $900,000.
“As physicians and sun-safety advocates, we certainly have our work cut out for us,” says The Skin Cancer Foundation President Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD. “We are so grateful to the generous donors who helped us raise $900,000 in support of our mission. These funds allow us to provide lifesaving educational campaigns, community programs and research initiatives that are essential in the fight against this cancer, which is more common than all other cancers combined.”
Model and actress Michelle Monaghan (“Mission: Impossible,” “The White Lotus,” “The Family Plan 2”), who has publicly supported sun protection and skin cancer awareness since her battle with melanoma in 2007, was honored with this year’s Impact Award. Adam Schweitzer was honored with the Champions for Change Award. For more than 15 years, Schweitzer, a senior parter at WME, has rallied friends and associates in the entertainment industry to raise awareness for this disease in honor of his father, who passed away from melanoma. The evening concluded with a special performance by Schweitzer’s dear friend Hank Azaria & The EZ Street Band.
The event co-chairs were April Franzino and Stephanie Schweitzer. The event’s physician co-chairs were Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, Julie K. Karen, MD, Jesse M. Lewin, MD, and Ariel Ostad, MD. The honorary chair was Marcia Robbins-Wilf, EdD. The Gala Committee included Steve Alperin, Jeremy Brauer, MD, Kim Campbell, Ian Michael Crumm, Heather Fisher Gotlib, Michelle F. Henry, MD, Susan Manber, Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, Kathy Sabine, Maral K. Skelsey, MD, Susan Small, Tyler Steele, Mary L. Stevenson, MD, and Jane Y. Yoo, MD. The Foundation also recognizes its Glow Guardian event sponsors: Borghese, Castle Biosciences, EltaMD Skin Care and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Editor’s note: Photos for this event available here.
About The Skin Cancer Foundation
The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, saves and improves lives by empowering people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer. The Foundation delivers public education programs, provides patients with guidance and reassurance, engages medical professionals, awards research grants and leads advocacy campaigns that call for policy changes. As a service to consumers, SCF grants its industry-recognized Seal of Recommendation to products that meet its criteria for safe and effective sun protection. SCF also operates Destination Healthy Skin, a program that works with local dermatologists in communities around the U.S. to provide free skin cancer screenings to those in need. Since its inception in 1979, the Foundation has recommended regular skin exams and following a complete sun protection strategy that includes seeking shade, using sunscreen daily and covering up with clothing, hats and sunglasses. SkinCancer.org.
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