Blog
Don’t Get Blindsided! Your Thyroid and Melanoma
It was the perfect storm. When Claire was diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma at the age of 14, it absolutely blindsided us. She wore sunscreen, never tanned and got annual skin…
A Young Melanoma Survivor’s Nightmare: Why It Often Comes Back
There is still more evidence proving the shadow of a melanoma diagnosis never really leaves a young person. The “Beast” can and does often rear its ugly head at least…
Air Travel and Melanoma; Know Your Risk!
Summer is finally here and it’s time to pack the bags and take off to a new adventure! There’s so much on our mind when it comes to airline travel…
Enough Already! It Takes More Than Sunscreen to Beat Melanoma
As we wrap up melanoma awareness month this May with sunshine filled plans for the summer ahead, can we please, PLEASE stop with all the half truths and mis-information about…
More Evidence of Why Melanoma Is of Special Risk to Young People
You’ve heard us share the statistics again and again; melanoma is one of the most common cancers in adolescents and young adults – or AYA’s as they are called. Now…
Melanoma: Why The Department of Defense Thinks It’s Worth $40 Million in Fiscal 2022.
They put their lives at risk to defend our nation and trust the U.S. Government will provide for their health and well being along the way. As we honor Veterans…
Claire Marie Foundation Takes NYC!
Bright Lights! Big City! On August 17th, CMF lit up Times Square in New York City with plenty of Claire Coral! The Claire Marie Foundation was one of a…
Screening To Save Your Life! How To Find the Best Dermatologist
We cannot say it enough! Make sure you are screened annually for melanoma and other skin cancers. It is essential to nip melanoma in the bud, halting its ability to move through…
Congratulations to the 2022 Recipient of the Claire Marie Foundation Scholarship in Arts & Design
Congratulations to Brigitte Gendron, the 2022 Recipient of the Claire Marie Scholarship in Arts & Design! The Notre Dame Preparatory Senior will begin her design studies at Fordham this Fall!…
Heads Up! Before You Pop a Cool One – Alcohol and Risk of Melanoma
Be careful of what you pull from that icy cooler to quench your summer thirst! New research indicates that drinking alcohol can actually make your skin burn in the sun…
Here’s Your Summer Mantra: Sun Care Is Self Care
As we shake off the remnants of the Covid Pandemic, we’re ready to get back to normal – whatever “normal” may be. It’s time to dive into the good stuff!…
Jacqueline’s Story: When It Comes to Melanoma – Expect the Unexpected
Is there a better time of life than 22? All the possibilities of life are before us, ready to be explored. In 2003, Jacqueline Smith was just 22, fresh…
Why is Melanoma Striking So Many Young Men?
Melanoma? It’s a girl thing. Old guys get it. It only affects fair-skinned people. Right? Wrong. Dead wrong. You’ve heard us say it before; If you have skin - you…
The Difference Between Melanoma and Skin Cancer – Awareness That Could Save Your Life
Let’s make one thing clear; the words “just” and “ cancer” should never be linked in the same sentence. But due to the fact that basal cell or squamous cell…
Jamie’s Story: Pregnancy, Hormones and Melanoma
Pregnancy is such a joyful and stressful time! An expectant mother has so many things to consider in preparing for the arrival of her new little one – melanoma is…
The Damaging Affect of Blue Light on Your Skin
Do you think because you’re stuck self-isolating indoors, awaiting the start of your latest Zoom conference during COVID 19 you can skip the sunscreen? Well, think again! Your skin is…
Congratulations to Our 2020 Claire Marie Arts & Design Scholar
Congratulations to Allison, “Allie” McDavid, the 2020 Recipient of the Claire Marie Scholarship in Arts & Design! The Notre Dame Preparatory Senior got the news via NDP art teacher Anne…
Oh No! Found a Suspicious Mole or Skin Lesion Amid COVID-19 Shut-Down? Here’s What To Do!
In this era of COVID19 it can be challenging to manage the common practice of healthcare. Thus, many routine medical concerns, including dermatology screenings for skin cancer and melanoma, are…
Choosing For You and Baby: The Best Sunscreens For Pregnant Moms
The need to take care of your skin warrants special attention during pregnancy – especially when it comes to UV sun exposure. Pregnancy may bring an added risk for the…
The Ignored Risk: People of Color Do Get Melanoma
If you have skin – you are at risk for melanoma. That’s it. Plain and simple. EVERYONE – no matter age, gender or race can develop melanoma. It does not discriminate…
Adolescents, Young Adults, Cancer & Anxiety; Finding Control Amid COVID
April Moran, LCSW-C is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adolescents, adults and families. As a member of the Claire Marie Foundation Medical Advisory, she offers…
Taking 10 Minutes to Save Young Lives
What is 10 minutes worth to you? We’re talking about 600 seconds. That’s roughly the length of time it takes to get your latte from your favorite barista. It’s probably…
All the Worlds a Stage for Edina Hiser; CMF’s First Arts & Design Scholar
The world is full of colorful, vibrant possibilities for Edina Hiser. With the whirlwind of graduation behind her, the 2015 inaugural recipient of the Claire Marie Foundation Scholarship in Arts…
Bringing More Joy, Color and Beauty to the World Through Scholarship!
We just want to send a big shout-out to Margaret “Maggie” Franz who has been selected as the 2019 Recipient of the Claire Marie Scholarship in Arts & Design! Maggie…
US Lacrosse and Claire Marie Foundation Are Teaming Up
June 13, 2019 US Lacrosse has entered a new agreement with the Claire Marie Foundation to work together in reducing the diagnosis of melanoma among adolescents and young adults within the lacrosse…
We are teaming up with ISDIN
In conjunction with the Co-Founder of CMF’s Medical Advisory, Dr. Eva Simmons O’Brien M.D., FAAD, we are teaming up with ISDIN; a company which shares our passion for stopping melanoma…
College Football and Melanoma – The Toughest Opponent
NCAA Athletic Trainers have a lot to worry about when it comes to their players; ACL , meniscus and achilles tears, concussions, fractures, de-hydration, the list goes on and on.…
“Consider Me Well Prepared” – The Courage Behind Claire’s Smile
Four years ago today, our daughter Claire Wagonhurst lost her life to melanoma. She was just 17, a senior in high school, a young woman who had just excitedly learned…
Beep beep! It’s Official!
In July, The Claire Marie Foundation received its official 501(c)3 certification from the IRS, allowing us to wave goodbye to our fiscal sponsor, Strong City Baltimore! It reminds us so…
Thank You Baltimore Magazine #AwarenessSavesLives
It’s never easy to talk about, but we know by sharing Claire’s story and our family’s journey we can raise awareness of the beast that is melanoma and how it…
Redbook Magazine is Helping CMF Raise Awareness
When we launched the Claire Marie Foundation nearly three years ago, in February of 2015, we hoped to let other’s know what we discovered the hard way; melanoma can develop…
Running With Claire at the Baltimore Running Festival!!
I just love this photo! Rocky and Claire, Daddy-Daughter, running her first 5K. She was in first grade and so proud! All smiles with her blond ponytail bouncing all the…
Why You Need a “Gold Standard” Dermatologist
Here’s a couple of facts you may not know: Pediatricians and General Practitioners do not routinely study dermatology in their medical preparation. Surprise! Basically that means they are not trained…
We Came, We Screened, We Found Atypical Moles
I got a call last week. The voice was unfamiliar, but the anxiety and frustration was well known to my heart. It was a mom who just found out her…
Our CMF Arts & Design Scholarship Winner UVA Bound!
We are so excited and proud to announce that Elizabeth Liberatore is the 2017 Recipient of the Claire Marie Foundation Scholarship for Arts & Design! A Senior at Notre Dame…
#LiveLifeLikeClaire – One Campus at a Time
“Breathe deeply, move forward, you will feel the sunshine again.” Claire wrote those words in her college application essay. It was a whispered thought, a mantra used to propel her…
Baltimore Running Festival – Lace Up Your Shoes
Thank you for running on behalf of the Claire Marie Foundation in the 16th Baltimore Running Festival on October 21, 2017! The Baltimore Running Festival is considered one of the…
Collegiate Ambassador Program
This spring we launched a peer-to-peer melanoma awareness and prevention program on college and university campuses across the country. 50 students on 20 campuses represent the Claire Marie Foundation and…
The ACAC Claire Marie Fitness Challenge
Join us for an event jam-packed with music, fitness and fun! Spin, Zumba and Barre classes available, great for all fitness abilities. Afterwards, enjoy brunch with the family. Free Kids…
Claire Marie Dance Challenge
Because at the Claire Marie Foundation we believe in honoring Claire’s sassy, fun and joyous spirit while raising awareness of adolescent melanoma, we were thrilled when Claire’s friends created and…
2nd Annual Claire Marie Foundation Scholarship Awarded
The second annual Claire Marie Foundation Scholarship for Arts and Design was recently awarded to Meredith Egan, a 2016 graduating Senior of the Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland.…
May- Melanoma Month
During this National Melanoma Month of May, you will hear many calls of awareness to prevent skin cancer and melanoma. The Claire Marie Foundation joins in that mission. But when…
Membership In A Most Unfortunate Club
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Francis of Assisi As any parent discovers at one point or another, it is…
Ride With Claire
September 20, 2015, Claire’s father, Rocky Wagonhurst, embarked on a solo 630 mile bicycling trip to complete Claire’s journey to college. His trek took him from Charleston, South Carolina where…
