Save Your Skin Celebrates 16 Years of Advancing Melanoma Treatment

Over the past 16 years, the Save Your Skin initiative has been a driving force behind melanoma research and treatment advancements at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, most notably through its annual golf tournament.

This year, Atrium Health Foundation shifted the in-person event to an online campaign, bringing Save Your Skin to the forefront of its communications. From October 18-22, donors to the Carolinas Melanoma & Immunotherapy Fund and followers on social media received important sun safety information, enjoyed an in-depth look into Levine Cancer Institute’s community outreach efforts, and had the opportunity to “meet” several team members who provide exceptional patient care.

Remembering the Event’s Founder

Pictured: Dr. Kreshon with a portrait of his late wife, Jerri, at the 2019 golf tournament.

The Save Your Skin Melanoma Golf Classic was established with key support from Martin J. Kreshon, Sr., MD, a prominent local physician who passed away earlier this year surrounded by his loving family. The event honors the life of his late wife, Jerri, a former patient of Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas HealthCare System) who lost her battle with melanoma in 2005.

Due in large part to the dedication Dr. Kreshon and his family have shown to the Save Your Skin golf tournament, the Carolinas Melanoma & Immunotherapy Fund has received nearly $1 million since its establishment to advance clinical research at Levine Cancer Institute, including the administration of novel drugs in high-risk and intermediate-risk patients. The Fund has also supported free skin cancer screenings throughout the community and education initiatives for middle school and high school students.

To pay tribute to the life of Dr. Kreshon, his family recently contributed $10,000 to the Carolinas Melanoma & Immunotherapy Fund. Thanks to this generous gift and support from corporate sponsors and donors, this year’s Save Your Skin campaign has raised over $79,500 to benefit melanoma initiatives at Levine Cancer Institute.

“Melanoma care over the last decade has been completely transformed worldwide,” shared Dr. Richard L. White. “Patients are living longer than ever and their treatment options have expanded dramatically. Here in the Charlotte area, support for these foundational changes has been in large part driven by the contributions to the Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund and the unwavering support of Dr. Kreshon and his family. We would not be where we are today without the Kreshon family.”