Our Story

Since its founding in 2015, the Polka Dot Mama Melanoma Foundation – led by founder Tracy Callahan – has raised almost $1 million dollars to fund research and promote the early detection and prevention of melanoma. Additionally, the foundation screened enough patients in a single day to become a Guinness Book of World Records holder, and our story was featured nationwide on NBC’s Today’s Show. With the help of so many incredible donors and volunteers, we touched countless lives over the last seven years.

From the beginning, Polka Dot Mama has partnered heavily with the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) – the largest non-profit funder of melanoma research. Our educational content, featured in printed materials and on the web, has always been grounded in the expertise of the MRA. And, we chose to fund multiple medical grants over the years through their organization because 100% of the donation would go directly to the research.

At the end of 2022, we plan to dissolve the Polka Dot Mama Melanoma Foundation as a 501c3 organization. But, our mission lives on through our continued partnership with the MRA. Tracy will remain an active melanoma ally for the MRA and will continue her fierce advocacy for patients as she transitions back to a role in nursing.

On Tuesday, Nov 29 – Giving Tuesday – Polka Dot Mama is excited to donate $100,000 to the MRA. This donation will help fund future projects in early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma for years to come.

In addition, all donations made as part of Polka Dot Mama’s final Giving Tuesday appeal will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000 by MRA’s founders Debra & Leon Black.

We thank you all for your amazing support over the years, and hope that you will join us in continuing this fight through the MRA.

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