Stella’s Featured Charity of Choice ~ 'Ann's Hope Foundation'

Ann’s Hope Foundation

The basis for Ann's Hope Foundation was laid by two friends. After learning they were both runners, they began training for a marathon together. As the length of their runs grew, so did their friendship.

Ann Harrington learned the story of Anne Frentzel's father's two year battle with melanoma cancer and his death in November of 2002. Because of their close relationship, when Ann Harrington's brother was diagnosed with advanced melanoma in September of 2004, Anne Frentzel was the first person outside of the family that Ann Harrington discussed the situation with.

As Anne and Ann continued to talk about melanoma through out the fall and winter they came to the realization that there is little awareness of the seriousness of melanoma cancer in the area or the U.S. Anne had been thinking about ways to use running to raise awareness about melanoma. Meanwhile Ann wanted to create a foundation to help raise melanoma awareness and research funds. When their ideas ran into each other.

Ann's Hope Foundation and the Rays Awareness, Block Melanoma Run/Walk were created. Rays Awareness, Block Melanoma Run/Walk will be an annual event. Ann's Hope Foundation plans on promoting other events such as silent auctions, dinners, ski events, and more to raise funds and awareness of melanoma cancer.

The inception of Ann’s Hope Foundation was February 2005. The organization was created in memory of the cofounders loved ones, Richard Cibula and Craig Harasha. Today the foundation is the only melanoma foundation in the state of Wisconsin holding several events to raise funds for melanoma research and education. The foundation is dedicated to creating a community for those affected by melanoma and ultimately a cure for melanoma.

Our Mission
Ann's Hope Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable/not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to raise awareness of the dangers of melanoma cancer and to raise the level of research , early detection, and prevention efforts in the community.

Objectives & Goals
Generate support and funding for melanoma cancer research, education, and awareness. Ann's Hope Foundation, Inc. will provide funds to charitable organizations determined by their board of directors.

Melanoma Information
Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes and, because most of these cells still produce melanin, the tumors often look like brown or black moles. It is much less common than non-melanoma skin cancer, but it is much more serious. Melanoma, like non-melanoma skin cancer, is almost always curable in its early stages. However, melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

What Are the Key Statistics for Melanoma?
Cancer of the skin (nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers combined) is the most common of all cancers probably accounting for more than 50% of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for about 4% of skin cancer cases but causes about 79% of skin cancer deaths.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 55,100 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States during 2004. The number of new melanomas diagnosed in the United States is increasing. Among white men and women in the US, incidence rates for melanoma increased sharply at about 6% per year from 1973 until the early 1980s. Since 1981, however, the rate of increase slowed to little less than 3% per year. Specifically, 55,100 new melanomas and 7,910 deaths expected.