Sheryl & Rob Lowe Co-chair Melanoma Research Foundation's Miles For Melanoma 5K Run/Walk At Universal Studios

Universal Pictures, Pale Girl SPEAKS and the Melanoma Research Foundation Announce 2nd Annual Event at Universal Studios on May 4^th with Sponsors including the Style Network, LA Galaxy and the Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON and LOS ANGELES, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) and Pale Girl SPEAKS today announced that skin cancer survivor Sheryl Lowe and her husband, actor Rob Lowe, will co-chair the second annual Miles for Melanoma 5K Run/Walk at Universal Studios May 4^th, 2013.  Pale Girl SPEAKS is a social networking movement dedicated to raising awareness and preventing melanoma which was founded by Hillary Fogelson.  Fogelson and her husband, Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson, are co-sponsoring the 5K for the second year in a row, and Universal Pictures is a sponsor.  All proceeds from the event go to the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma education and prevention, the MRF.  The announcement was made today by the MRF's Executive Director Tim Turnham and Pale Girl SPEAKS' Hillary Fogelson.

"Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, taking someone's life every hour of every day and we know that the majority of melanomas are due to overexposure to harmful UV rays," said Turnham. "The MRF is pleased to partner with the Lowe and Fogelson families to help raise awareness of this deadly disease and hopefully prevent future diagnoses."

"We're looking forward to a great day of fun and competition for such an important cause," said Sheryl and Rob Lowe. "Lace 'em up and join us for a very important event!"

Celebrity Friends of the 2013 Miles for Melanoma 5K Run/Walk at Universal Studios include Judd Apatow, Sean Astin, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Bateman, Jason Biggs, Soleil Moon Frye, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Blake Lively, Jeannie Mai, Kellie Martin, Leslie Mann, Tia Mowry Hardrict, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Ryan Reynolds, Fred Savage, Molly Sims, Ryan Seacrest and Jeremy Renner.  

Participants in the 5K Run/Walk at Universal Studios will experience many of the iconic motion picture scenes that populate the Universal Studios backlot including Amityville Island from Jaws, Spartacus Square, the War of the Worlds plane crash and the village of Whoville just to name a few.  With their "Style Experience" tent for all participants and volunteers, Style Network, through their "Fight with Style" skin cancer prevention initiative, will provide free skin damage assessments by estheticians, sun protection products and skin care tips for all attendees.  There will also be several sponsored booths with free samples, skin checks and tips on how to face the sun safely, popular food trucks including The Green Truck, PerkUp and Crepe'n Around, Minions from Despicable Me and one of the cars from Universal's upcoming movie Fast & Furious 6.  The Street Team from the MLS Cup Champion soccer team LA Galaxy will be on hand with games and prizes for soccer fans as well as the a capella supergroup Level.

"As a melanoma survivor, it's thrilling to be a part of this event and spread the word about the importance of protecting yourself and your family from the harmful effects of the sun," said Fogelson. "To be able to raise money for melanoma research and patient education while enjoying a morning run with my family, friends and tons of other survivors – is extremely gratifying!"

This year, Pale Girl SPEAKS, Universal Pictures, Style Network, Amgen, The Angeles Clinic and the Los Angeles Times return as event sponsors. New sponsors include Bristol Meyers Squibb, Novartis, Genentech, ICM Partners, MD Solar Sciences, Joe Shade, UPF Sunshop, SPF Addict, The Rox Cancer Center and the LA Galaxy.

The inaugural Miles for Melanoma 5K Run/Walk at Universal Studios was a huge success, bringing in over 1,000 participants to the Universal Studios backlot and helping to raise more than $200,000 for melanoma research, advocacy and education.

Top fundraisers and team builders for this year's 5K are eligible for a number of exciting prizes and incentives, including:

Three diamond necklaces from Maya Brenner Designs, four tickets and front of line passes to the Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park, Universal Pictures Centennial DVD Box Set, the Universal Monster DVD Box Set, as well as gift baskets from Coca-Cola and sun-safe clothing company Mott 50.

Registration for the Miles for Melanoma 5K Run/Walk at Universal Studios is open. To participate:

• Register for the Miles for Melanoma 5K to be held at Universal Studios in Hollywood on May 4^th, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
• Create a fundraising team and a personalized fundraising page
• Share the page and a fundraising goal with friends, family, and social networks

Visit the MRF's Miles for Melanoma website, or follow @CureMelanoma and @PaleGirlSPEAKS on Twitter for more information about special guests, prizes and activities during the event.

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 9,000 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 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.

SOURCE Melanoma Research Foundation