Raising Awareness
and Providing Skin Cancer Screenings for Firefighters

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Caylie's Story

In this powerful video, Caylie shares her deeply personal journey from being a fire wife to a widow and solo parent after the tragic loss of her husband, Andy Valenta. She opens up about how this experience inspired her to co-found AVMF, her dedication to helping firefighters through cancer screening programs.

Caylie’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and a commitment to giving back to those who serve their communities.

We Are Committed to Providing Melanoma Awareness & Education

We have a dedicated and clear mission; help find melanoma before it spreads and hopefully save the lives of the men and women who already risk their lives to help us and prevent families from experiencing the nightmare that the Valenta family endured.

With the help of volunteer medical professionals, business partnerships, fundraising, and support within the community, we are able to bring skin cancer screenings right to the fire stations.

Total Screenings We Have Completed To Date

Firefighters
Screened

0 +

Additional First Responders

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Below Are Fire Departments We Have Already Screened, with More to Come!

We Have Proudly Screened 23 Fire Departments Across Southern California!

Oceanside Firefighters United Local 3736

Solana Beach Firefighters Association Local 3779

Huntington Beach Firefighters Local 3354

Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District

Fire Fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.

In 2022, nearly 75% of the firefighters added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died from occupational cancer. Studies have shown that firefighters have a 1.31 times greater risk of developing malignant melanoma than the general public.

Learn more at the Firefighter Cancer Support Network

What is Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can develop anywhere on the skin. A new spot on the skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape, or color may be a sign of melanoma. Any unusual spot should be checked.

Occupational Risk

It is not fully understood why firefighters are at a higher risk for melanoma, but it is believed to be linked to carcinogen exposure from byproducts of combustion, diesel exhaust, and retardants used on fires.

Get Checked

Due to the occupational risk firefighters face, the best prevention for malignant melanoma is early detection. Include a skin check in your annual medical exam and see a dermatologist regularly.

Andy's Story

Andy Valenta spent 11 years as a firefighter for the City of Vista Fire Department in San Diego, CA. It was without a doubt his calling in life. He was a hero to his community and to his family.

With very little warning, Andy was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma in January of 2021. It was discovered that dozens of tumors had spread through his body. Less than four months later, he lost his battle with occupational cancer. Andy leaves behind his wife, Caylie, and their two young daughters.

AVMF was created to raise awareness within fire departments and to help provide annual skin cancer screenings to firefighters. These men and women dedicate their lives to service, risking their lives for their communities. The Foundation will strive to prevent the needless loss of life to occupational melanoma.

A fate like Andy’s may be preventable for other firefighters if detected early. We hope to help as many fire families as possible in avoiding the nightmare that we have endured.

Andy’s story, as told by his caregiver Caylie Valenta, has been shared by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

We are proudly partnered with CalDerm and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to bring skin cancer screenings to fire stations.

Learn more about firefighter cancer and the programs available.

Foundation Supporters

A Special Thank You to All of Our Supporters Below!

Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation

is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Andy’s widow, Caylie Valenta, and fellow Vista firefighter Mark Gaffney in 2022.

The Foundation is working to form partnerships within the community, with businesses, and with medical professionals to raise funds and strengthen our mission to increase awareness, educate firefighters, and provide skin cancer screenings.

If you would like to help support the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation, please contact us or donate today.

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The Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Andy’s widow, Caylie Valenta, and fellow Vista firefighter Mark Gaffney in 2022.

The Foundation is continuously building partnerships within the community, with businesses, and with medical professionals to raise funds and strengthen our mission to increase awareness, educate firefighters, and provide skin cancer screenings to fire departments. If you would like to partner with us, or help support the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation please contact us or donate today.

Raising Awareness and Providing Skin Cancer Screenings for Firefighters