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News
Article
2025 Goals and Priorities of The Skin Cancer Foundation: An Interview with Executive Director, Becky Kamowitz
Key Takeaways
- The "Destination Healthy Skin" program provides free skin cancer screenings in underserved U.S. communities, traveling 12,000 miles annually.
- The Foundation is fundraising $500,000 to replace its aging RV, with plans for improved accessibility features like a wheelchair lift.
One of the Foundation’s top initiatives is its mobile skin cancer screening program, “Destination Healthy Skin.”
In a conversation with Dermatology Times, Becky Kamowitz shared her initiatives and goals as the newly appointed Executive Director of the Skin Cancer Foundation. One effort she’s focusing on in her first year is ensuring the continued success of the Foundation’s “Destination Healthy Skin” program. This mobile skin cancer screening initiative, which travels 12,000 miles annually across the U.S., provides free skin cancer screenings in communities that might otherwise lack access to dermatologists. The Foundation’s RV, which houses two exam rooms, has been vital to the program’s success since 2008.
However, after 14 years of service, the RV is in need of replacement due to increasing maintenance costs. Kamowitz shared that the Foundation is currently in the midst of a $500,000 fundraising campaign to purchase and customize a new vehicle, including crucial upgrades like a wheelchair lift to improve accessibility for those with mobility issues. With just two months remaining in the campaign, Kamowitz reports the Foundation is already 80% of the way to their goal, with plans to keep the program running smoothly into 2025.
In addition to maintaining the mobile screening initiative, Kamowitz emphasized the importance of collaborating with dermatology clinicians to expand early detection efforts, especially in underserved and high-risk communities. Since the program relies heavily on volunteer dermatologists, Kamowitz is eager to strengthen these partnerships, particularly with large group practices, to enhance community outreach. The Foundation aims to create a more significant presence in each area they visit, increasing awareness through local media and promotions to inspire more people to check their skin.
“Finding dermatologists who are willing to travel a little bit with us, maybe work a little bit more deeply, collaborate a little bit more deeply on an event to reach a community that ordinarily wouldn't have access to the service, we can really make a difference together,” Kamowitz said.
