NEW YORK (January 7, 2025) – The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), a national nonprofit organization that is committed to decreasing the incidence and mortality of the world’s most common cancer through public education, has appointed Becky Kamowitz to the role of executive director. Kamowitz has worked for the Foundation for more than a decade and previously served as interim executive director and senior director of marketing communications. She succeeds Dan Latore, who was the executive director of the Foundation from 2016 until last year.
Photo Credit: Mikiodo
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and in the U.S. more than two people die of the disease every hour. If allowed to grow, skin cancer can become disfiguring or even deadly. But if detected early, most skin cancers are highly treatable. The five-year survival rate for melanoma, one of the most dangerous forms of the disease, is 99 percent when detected early. The disease is also highly preventable; research shows that daily sun protection reduces the risk of skin cancer. It is for this reason that the SCF advocates for a daily sun protection routine and regular skin exams.
“I’ve dedicated much of my career to the Foundation because I care deeply about our mission and the people who look to us for answers in their time of need,” says Kamowitz. “The goal of every nonprofit is to solve a problem and eventually not be needed anymore. While we all aspire to one day live in a world without skin cancer, until then, we’ll lead the fight against this disease by advocating for behavioral changes, policy updates and medical advancements that can save lives.”
Public education and advocacy are at the heart of Kamowitz’ work. She currently leads a team of 16 from the Foundation’s headquarters in midtown Manhattan. Widely recognized as a trusted resource for education and support on all matters related to skin cancer, millions of people turn to the SCF to learn more about this disease. The Foundation’s website, SkinCancer.org, receives 11 million unique visits annually, and hundreds of journalists cite the Foundation every year to provide accurate reporting on this topic. The SCF also produces educational materials, including an award-winning annual magazine, The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, used by industry professionals to provide patients with the most up-to-date medical information on skin cancer.
“In the many years that I’ve worked with Becky, I’ve witnessed her dedication to our mission and the way that she has amplified our message and expanded our public education efforts,” says Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “She has a passion for health literacy and patient empowerment and has cemented our leadership in the advocacy community. The Board of Directors and I look forward to the continued success of our Foundation under her leadership.”
Kamowitz oversaw the development of the messaging and strategy for the Foundation’s The Big See campaign, which focused on educating consumers about the importance of skin exams and early detection. The campaign has earned more than $67 million in donated advertising since June 2019. She also developed the concept and marketing strategy for Destination Health Skin, the Foundation’s mobile skin cancer screening and education program that recruits dermatologists to provide free skin exams and educational materials to those in need. Since 2008, the SCF has recruited hundreds of dermatologists to perform nearly 32,000 free skin cancer screenings on board the Destination Healthy Skin RV. These volunteer physicians have identified nearly 13,000 potential skin cancers and precancers – including 615 suspected melanomas. The Foundation is currently fundraising for a new RV for the program.
As a service to consumers, the SCF also grants its industry-recognized Seal of Recommendation to sun protection products. In 2025 the Foundation will relaunch its Seal of Recommendation with updated criteria based on the highest industry standards for the American market. Hundreds of products have earned the Seal of Recommendation based on rigorous third-party test results.
Kamowitz has 20 years of experience working in support of nonprofits. Prior to joining The Skin Cancer Foundation, she was with DKMS – We Delete Blood Cancer, an international bone marrow donor center where she bolstered the organization’s donor registration, retention and education efforts. She began her career with agency work focused exclusively on nonprofits. Kamowitz has presented at the Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity, The Association of National Advertising Nonprofit Growth Summit and the In-House Agency Forum’s IHAF Conference & Awards. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and daughter.
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, the SCF grants its industry-recognized Seal of Recommendation to products that meet its criteria for safe and effective sun protection. The 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 and education 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, daily sunscreen use and covering up with clothing, hats and sunglasses. SkinCancer.org.
Contact:
Abby Ludowise
Senior Director of Marketing Communications
212.725.5408
aludowise@skincancer.org
Ali Venosa
Marketing Communications Manager
646.583.7979
avenosa@skincancer.org