ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (October 1, 2008) — The official expansion of the World Skin Cancer Foundation (WSCF) to the Western United States was formally introduced Wednesday, October 1, in Aliso Viejo, California where more than 120 people gathered at the Carl Nolet Senior Hospitality Center at the headquarters of Ketel One Vodka to celebrate the milestone event.
The World Skin Cancer Foundation began in Cocoa Beach on Florida ’s East Coast less than four years ago but interest in building awareness for the causes and prevention of skin cancer nationally has created the need for Foundation operations on the West Coast as well. The expansion was made possible due to the efforts of several prominent West Coast business leaders from the sports and health care industries and the Foundation’s Florida-based Board of Directors.
After a welcome and introduction from Ketel One Vodka Vice President of Corporate Events & Public Relations Jim Riley, West Coast Advisory Board member Vicki Dallas addressed the gathering along with World Skin Cancer Foundation President Drew Filliben and Foundation Board Member Rusty Buchanan.
“When I learned of the World Skin Cancer Foundation after a trip to Florida, I was struck by the special nature of the organization and immediately realized an expansion was needed to the West Coast, and Southern California in particular,” said Dallas, who was one of the main leaders in bringing the West Coast expansion to reality. “We have very similar active outdoor lifestyles in California like our friends in Florida and that brings with it the need to deliver the message about sun safe precautions and awareness. We are honored to now be in a position to help the World Skin Cancer Foundation continue its mission of awareness and prevention, here in California and throughout the West Coast.”
The World Skin Cancer Foundation West Coast Advisory Board includes Dallas (Partner, Rutan & Tucker LLP), John Chamberlin (Director, Deutsche Bank), Mark Jurczynski (President, Blue Bear Medical Ventures, LLC), Frank Kaufman (Partner, Moss Adams LLP), John Moody (Financial Services, the Busch Firm), Scott Pantel (President, Life Science Intelligence), Carol Stewart (Vice President, Wells Fargo Commercial Bank), Sean C. Walker (Director, McGladrey Capital Markets, LLC), Jennifer Armstrong (John A Burns School of Medicine) and Filliben.
The event at the Nolet center was sponsored by Rutan & Tucker LLP, Moss Adams LLP, Life Science Intelligence, Wells Fargo Commercial Bank, McGladrey Capital Markets LLC, Blue Bear Medical Ventures, LLC, Deutsche Bank and The Busch Firm. In addition to providing the first-class venue, Ketel One Vodka also provided its products and other quality beverages for guests to enjoy.
Over one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year and over 10,000 people die from skin cancer annually. The most important benefit of supporting the World Skin Cancer Foundation and one of its many events is helping the organization’s efforts to raise awareness for skin cancer through education, prevention, detection and informational public signage while supporting sun-safe outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.worldskincancerfoundation.com.
