Kevin Nealon and Celebrity Friends Fight Melanoma During Second Annual Celebrity Golf Classic Benefitting the Melanoma Research Foundation

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, November 18, actor and comedian Kevin Nealon hosted the second annual Celebrity Golf Classic to benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). Kevin and his celebrity friends helped increase awareness about melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, while raising critically-needed funding for melanoma research.

"The second Celebrity Golf Classic was another sellout event and helped bring a great deal of attention to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer," said Kevin. "Not only did we raise money for the MRF to advance melanoma research, which is personally important to me, but we had fun doing it!"

Each golfing foursome was joined by one of Kevin's celebrity friends. Celebrities that attended the event included Joe Pesci, David Spade, Kevin Farley, Andy Garcia, Mark Moses, Vinnie Jones, Jimmy Shubert, Gary Valentine, Paula Trickey, Kevin Rahm, James Remar, Joel Murray, Geoff Pierson, Greg Ellis, Brendan Fehr, John Mendoza, Kirk Fox, Richard Karn, Greg Itzin, Jackie Flynn, CS Lee, Louis Changchien, Devon Gummersall, Cameron Romero and more.

"Every hour of every day someone dies from melanoma. Research shows the majority of melanoma can be traced back to UV exposure, so raising awareness of the disease among celebrities who spend hours golfing in the sun is important," said Tim Turnham, executive director of the MRF. "Kevin and his friends played a huge role in fighting melanoma by raising awareness of sun safety and melanoma prevention, and important research funding during yesterday's tournament."

At the post-tournament awards ceremony, Tim shared shocking statistics about the increasing rates of melanoma diagnoses and thanked the tournament attendees for making a tremendous impact on the fight against melanoma. Kevin brought the event to a close by hosting a joke telling contest in which both professional and amateur comedians shared their best jokes, making the tournament a fun yet impactful day for all who attended.

Former golf professional and organizer Steve DiMarco coordinated the event again this year and veteran independent film producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis provided public relations and marketing support.

Those interested in supporting Kevin's golf tournament and his fight against melanoma can contribute by clicking here.

About Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States and can strike men and women of all ages, all races and skin types. With a one in 50 lifetime risk of developing melanoma, nearly 77,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2013, resulting in over 9,400 deaths. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25- to 29-years-old and the second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15- to 29-years-old.

The majority of melanomas occur on the skin; in fact, melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Melanoma can also occur in the eye (ocular, or uveal melanoma), in mucous membranes (mucosal melanoma), or even beneath fingernails or toenails.

About the Melanoma Research Foundation

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma. The MRF is an active advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF's website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers. More information is available at www.melanoma.org. Find the MRF on Facebook and Twitter.

For press/media/booking:
Suzanne DeLaurentiis
[email protected]

Lauren Smith
Melanoma Research Foundation
[email protected]
(202) 347-9675

SOURCE Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions