MassMutual Awards the Melanoma Research Foundation $10,000

Extra (Chicago)

Manuel "Manny" Amezcua. Photo courtesy of The Melanoma Research Foundation.

The Melanoma Research Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) as part of its national Community Service Award (CSA) program. The Melanoma Research Center is one of only 17 organizations nationally to receive an award. MassMutual made the grant on behalf of the volunteer efforts of Manuel ("Manny") Amezcua, managing partner at MassMutual Chicago.

"MassMutual's Community Service Awards program aims to encourage and recognize those financial professionals who are active members of their community," said Nick Fyntrilakis, vice president of Community Responsibility, MassMutual. "Manny's volunteer work reflects MassMutual's steadfast commitment to supporting organizations in the communities where our financial professionals live and work."

The Melanoma Research Foundation is committed to supporting medical research for finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. It educates patients and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, and acts as an advocate to raise awareness of the disease. The grant will be used to ensure that the First Annual Wings of Hope Gala, which the Foundation is hosting and Manny is chairing in Chicago in October, will be a tremendous success.

Amezcua has dedicated countless hours to The Melanoma Research Foundation serving on committees, participating and sponsoring the Miles for Melanoma 5k race annually, and co-chairing the Foundation's Annual Wings of Hope Gala in Chicago.

"My dedication to The Melanoma Research Foundation is a tribute to the many people, like my wife Samantha, who have battled this deadly disease. My commitment has been matched by many caring individuals in my firm," said Amezcua. "We are all very pleased by MassMutual's recognition of our efforts."