The Scleroderma Research Foundation Raises Nearly $1.1 Million At This Year's Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine

John Stamos Receives The Bob Saget Legacy Award As His "Full House" Family Looks On

Performances by Fortune Feimster, Matt Friend, Ron Funches, Jay Pharoah, and Lisa Ann Walter, with Jeff Ross as host, special guests Seth Green and Howie Mandel, and a surprise auction appearance by John Mayer

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF), the country's first and leading nonprofit investor in medical research into scleroderma, raised $1,077,000 at this year's Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine on Tuesday, October 13, at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles. John Stamos received the Bob Saget Legacy Award, which honors individuals who have used their voice to raise awareness and funds for scleroderma research. Howie Mandel presented the award. The evening featured performances by Fortune Feimster, Matt Friend, Ron Funches, Jay Pharoah, and Lisa Ann Walter, with Jeff Ross serving as host and Seth Green joining as guest co-auctioneer for the live auction. The SRF's signature comedy-and-culinary benefit paired live stand-up with a multi-course gourmet dinner curated by celebrated chef Susan Feniger.

Stamos's "Full House" castmates Lori Loughlin, Candace Cameron Bure, and Jodie Sweetin walked the red carpet and were in the audience for the presentation, which included a video message from castmate Dave Coulier. "Full House" creator Jeff Franklin and "Fuller House" actor John Brotherton were also in attendance. Stamos delivered an emotional acceptance speech honoring his late friend.

"Bob and I didn't get along very well the first couple of years of 'Full House.' Then around year three, Gay got scleroderma, and all of a sudden we bonded together as brothers, not cast members. He turned out to be one of my all-time best friends," said Stamos. "You look around tonight, and this is a legacy. That's a legacy to leave behind, not just a bunch of reruns."

John Mayer made a surprise appearance during the live auction to help sell a package to see him perform at Sphere in Las Vegas, which raised $150,000 from two generous donors. Other guests included singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, Green Day drummer Tré Cool, and musician Christian Love. Also in attendance was filmmaker Neil Berkeley, who co-directed "Who Is Martin Mull?," the documentary, which Saget began in 2018 and Berkeley completed after Saget's death, premiered on Netflix on October 7.

"I'm here because it's an amazing event created by one of the most amazing human beings I ever knew, Bob Saget. And I'm presenting the award to, for all intents and purposes, his brother, John Stamos. It's sad and wonderful to be here. His friends, especially people like John, are the reason this can keep going," said Howie Mandel.

"This event means so much to me because it meant everything to my late husband, Bob. It was his life's work. John was the biggest supporter for Bob in every way possible, and he supported the SRF for so many years. Bob was always so appreciative of his efforts," says Kelly Rizzo, event co-chair.

Introduced in 2023, the Bob Saget Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have used their voice to raise awareness and funds for scleroderma research. Ross, Mayer, and New York Comedy Festival founder Caroline Hirsch are all past recipients; Mayer and Hirsch served as this year's co-chairs alongside Rizzo and SRF Board Members Susan Feniger and Regina Hall.

All proceeds from Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine directly support the SRF's mission, funding cutting-edge research programs and educational outreach.

Since 1987, Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine has been a cornerstone of the SRF's fundraising efforts, raising over $32 million to fund research aimed at finding a cure for scleroderma. Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine was organized and produced for decades by the late Bob Saget, whose sister Gay lost her life due to complications from scleroderma. As a proud member of the SRF's Board of Directors, Bob devoted himself to raising funds for scleroderma research, was a dedicated champion for the scleroderma community, and tirelessly drove the SRF's mission forward for 30 years.

The SRF is the United States' leading nonprofit investor in scleroderma research. Scleroderma, often misdiagnosed, is a rare and often life-threatening autoimmune disease that can cause fibrosis in the skin and other vital organs. In the most severe cases, complications can damage the heart, lungs, and digestive system. The SRF finds, funds, and facilitates the most promising, highest-quality research aimed at improved therapies and, ultimately, a cure for scleroderma.

About the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF)
The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF), a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1987 with a mission to fund and facilitate the most promising, highest-quality research aimed at new treatments and, ultimately, a cure for scleroderma. Led by a Scientific Advisory Board composed of some of the most highly regarded scientists in the nation, the SRF's research program actively seeks out the leading scientific minds from disparate fields, including autoimmunity, immunology, genetics, and fibrosis, to join the scleroderma research community. In addition to its core research program, the SRF has also led the formation of several large-scale projects aimed at accelerating scleroderma research, including the highly innovative CONQUEST platform clinical trial—a first of its kind in rare autoimmune diseases. The SRF is also dedicated to educating people living with scleroderma and their caregivers about how to best manage the challenges of the disease. Stay engaged with the SRF at srfcure.org and via social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Media Contact: Julie Richter | [email protected] | 480-818-8022
Media Assets: Photos | Broll & Interviews

SOURCE Scleroderma Research Foundation