Past Campaigns

July 2011 - Children’s Oncology Summer Camps

First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors (ages 18 to 39) a free week-long outdoor adventure experience designed to enable them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same.

June 2011 - Children's Oncology Summer Camps

Camp Casey is a nonprofit horseback riding program for children with cancer. They are located in Michigan and offer 3 unique programs: Horsey House Calls, Outlaw Outings, and Cowboy Camp Outs. Their programs offer a much-needed break from cancer to children & their families. Through generous donations and amazing volunteers, Camp Casey has spread the healing power of horses for over eight years.

May 2011 - Brain Cancer

nbcs logo

The National Brain Tumor Society offers top-notch resources and caring support for everyone affected by brain tumors. They provide education and information to help patients, families, and caregivers make informed decisions and develop strong support systems during every stage of the journey.

April 2011 - Immediate Needs

Children's Treehouse Foundation provides hospital-based, cancer-focused, psychosocial intervention training and programming dedicated to improving the emotional health of children whose parents have cancer.

March 2011 - Immediate Needs

Pathfinders for Cancer is a non-profit, psychosocial support program for cancer patients, caregivers, family members and the community. The Colorado Chapter of Pathfinders works in collaboration with hospitals and other cancer support organizations to provide patients and their caregivers with the tools needed to live their life productively through their cancer journey.

February 2011 - Immediate Needs

Our selection for February's Mel's Magic is Gilda's Club South Jersey (GCSJ). Gilda's Club is named in honor of comedian Gilda Radner who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986. They offer support groups, lectures, workshops and social events as a supplement to medical care in a warm and welcoming home-like setting. Their program is free of charge to all members and open to everyone touched by cancer.

January 2011 - Immediate Needs

Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Illinois Medical Center This program will provide direct financial support for bone marrow transplant patients who have difficulty covering the costs of co-pays, prescription medication, travel, and other expenses related to their treatment. Through the generosity of a private donor who has committed to a one-to-one challenge, funding from the Friends of Mel Foundation will be matched dollar for dollar.

December 2010 - Immediate Needs

Heaps of Hope continues the fight against breast cancer and other cancers by inspiring and supporting all women in their cancer journey. They are dedicated to providing a life line to women by easing the burdens created by cancer.

Amy's Treat is dedicated to providing solutions to the day-to-day difficulties of living with cancer and offers unexpected "treats" to renew the spirit.

Alice Hyde Medical Center - Reddy Cancer Treatment Center is a full service radiation oncology facility, utilizing state-of-the-art technology in the fight against cancer.

November 2010 - Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Alliance-Massachusetts (LCA-MA) is the only organization providing patient support and advocacy for those living with or at risk for lung cancer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. LCA-MA is committed to reversing decades of stigma and neglect by empowering patients, elevating awareness and changing health policy.

October 2010 - Women's Cancer

Women Beyond Cancer is a 501c3 corporation offering free retreats for women dealing with any type of cancer. They provide an opportunity for women to get away from it all while dealing with the physical as well as emotional impact of cancer.

Retreats are located in:

East Orland, Maine

Aiken, South Carolina

Island Park, Moab, & Park City, Utah

September 2010 - Ovarian Cancer

ovations logo Ovations for the Cure, Inc. is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of a cure for ovarian cancer. Their education programs focus on increasing public awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer in an effort to improve earlier detection of ovarian cancer and thus better outcomes for women who have ovarian cancer. Secondly, their patient programs are created to give knowledge, hope, and comfort to those women currently diagnosed and living with ovarian cancer. They also provide critical funding for new and ongoing ovarian cancer research initiatives that focus on early detection, prevention, developing more effective treatments for ovarian cancer, and to cure ovarian cancer in our lifetime.

August 2010 - Men's Cancer

Reel Recovery was founded in 2003 by a group of avid fly-fishers, inspired by their fishing buddy’s ongoing battle with brain cancer. Witnessing first-hand the beneficial impact fly-fishing provided their friend, they created Reel Recovery to provide the same opportunity for other men battling the disease. Combining expert fly-fishing instruction with directed “courageous conversations”, the organization provides men with all forms of cancer a unique opportunity to share their stories, learn a new skill, form lasting friendships and gain renewed hope as they confront the challenges of cancer.

July 2010 - Mentoring

Imerman Angels carefully matches and individually pairs a person touched by cancer (a cancer fighter or survivor) with someone who has fought and survived the same type of cancer (a Mentor Angel). Cancer caregivers (spouses, parents, children and other family and friends of fighters) also receive 1-on-1 connections with other caregivers and survivors. These 1-on-1 relationships inspire hope and offer the chance to ask personal questions and receive support from someone who is uniquely familiar with the experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world.

June 2010 - Children's Oncology Summer Camps

Camp Kesem Friends of Mel donated to Camp Kesem's Indiana University and Northwestern locations! Since 2000, Camp Kesem has given children affected by a parent’s cancer the opportunity to just be kids. The ever-expanding Kesem community engages in camp activities like sports, arts and crafts, and drama to give campers a fun-filled week. The tremendous fun and support campers experience is what makes Camp Kesem a transformative, magical week for campers and counselors alike.

May 2010 - Melanoma/Skin Cancer

THE SCAN FOUNDATION (Skin Cancer Awareness Network) was founded in 2006 by Marilyn Fry, a survivor of melanoma. Her mission is to use her experience and second opportunity for life to educate members of the community on the harmful effects of the sun, to help them avoid this preventable disease, and to provide information on care options treatment. Thier mission is to support community outreach programs and help educate the public about safe exposure and fun in the sun.

April 2010 - Education

The Stowe Weekend of Hope is an annual forum for education, enlightenment, and recreation for cancer patients and survivors with any type of cancer…and their families. The focus is to inspire, educate, and celebrate the lives of people living with cancer.

March 2010 - Colorectal Cancer

The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is the oldest and largest national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. In order to increase rates of screening and survivorship, the CCA provides patient support, public education, supports research and conducts advocacy work across America.

February 2010 - Immediate Needs

T he Learn, Live, and Love Cancer Outreach Organization was established in October of 2005. Our mission is to provide financial assistance to women and families in local communities who have been touched by the devastation of cancer. Theirs is a vision inspired by the sincerest belief that shared knowledge is power and shared experience is healing. They provide those in need with resources, information, networking options and personal support in addition to financial assistance.

January 2010 - Immediate Needs

Ellie Fund