AIM at Melanoma Foundation

Charlie Guild

Charlie Guild, a recent Brown University graduate, was enjoying her life in San Francisco. The last thought on Charlie’s mind was cancer, much less melanoma, until she was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma at the young age of 25. Just nine short months after her initial diagnosis, Charlie died on November 24, 2003. Throughout Charlie’s battle with melanoma, her mother, Valerie Guild, found getting the answers and support needed was not easy. In response to her experience, and in Charlie’s memory, Valerie founded the Charlie Guild Foundation.

Jim Schlipmann

Jim Schlipmann was a loving and devoted husband who cared deeply about his family and made innumerable lasting friendships. From the time he was diagnosed until he died, less than 7 months, he fought a courageous battle against melanoma. He spent his final days on earth preparing those around him to be able to cope with his death. He died on December 12, 2002, just 3 days before his 45th Birthday.

James A. Schlipmann Melanoma Cancer Foundation

Jim's wife Jean wanted to provide hope for individuals and their families suffering from this horrible form of cancer. So, on December 15, 2002 - just 3 days after Jim's death and on what would have been his 45th birthday - she established the James A. Schlipmann Melanoma Cancer Foundation in his honor and to keep his memory alive. The mission of the foundation was to fund clinical trials and research studies, and to advance education, awareness, screenings, and treatment to eventually eradicate Melanoma.

Importance of AIM at Melanoma Foundation (AIM)

AIM plays an important role in the fight against melanoma. Currently, there is no cure and no effective treatment to put melanoma into remission once it has advanced past the early stages. Since melanoma can be effectively treated with surgery in the early stages and its spread may be preventable, there is a lot of useful information about sun protection and risk factors. However, there is not enough information about treatment and follow-up for melanoma, or even how it is diagnosed and staged.

AIMatMelanoma.org is the leading online resource for information on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of melanoma developed by leading experts from the top melanoma centers throughout the world.

AIM for Answers in Melanoma

AIMatMelanoma.org, a global melanoma website, AIM can easily educate visitors, patients, and caregivers about all aspects of the disease. Content is organized specifically by stage, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up. Videos by leading dermatologists, oncologists, and oncology nurses explain crucial information about melanoma. The foundation also has a melanoma hotline staffed by an oncology nurse. The hotline is accessible both in the U.S. and internationally. There are also downloadable and printable materials on the website, and brochures about the website are distributed through oncologists' offices throughout the U.S.

Research

AIM partners with academic and industry researchers for the latest research and findings on the causes and treatments of the disease. The content on AIMatMelanoma.org is reviewed and updated by a panel of leading melanoma experts. The foundation is part of a biannual international think tank, the International Melanoma Working Group (IMWG), composed of a varied group within the melanoma community, working in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry, to look for innovative ways to increase research speed.

AIMatMelanoma.org features information on clinical trials and AIM's Clinical Trials Matching Service which offers patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals up-to-date information about melanoma clinical trials throughout the United States and Canada. The service provides quick access for clinical trial options that match your specific diagnosis and treatment history. The service is free and is provided in collaboration with EmergingMed.

AIM for Action in Melanoma

AIM provides an outlet for melanoma patients and their families to take action against the disease. This is accomplished by providing an online support community, access to support groups, survivor stories, and resources for starting support groups.

Each year, fundraisers are held around the country—AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walks, The Schlip Golf Classic, and other regional events that have survivors, patients, and family members participating or joining in sponsorship.

There is a Memorial Wall for remembering and honoring loved ones lost to the disease.

AIM sponsors Patient & Caregiver Symposia at cancer centers around the country. The symposia feature presentations by physicians, nurses, and experts in melanoma. Video recordings of the symposia are available at AIMatMelanoma.orgYouTube.

Federal Legislative

AIM is solely responsible for promoting mandatory sun safety education for all federal outdoor workers, and for ensuring the workers are provided appropriate personal protective equipment (including sun block) at no charge.

State Legislative

AIM advocates for stricter regulations on indoor tanning to raise the minimum age and require in-person parental permission for all minors. The foundation promoted the policy for mandatory sun safety education for grades K through 12 - permitting children to bring and apply sun block at school without a doctor’s permission; permitting children to bring and wear hats during outdoor activities; including skin exams on all school physical forms; and constructing outdoor shade structures in all new school facilities.