March 9, 2024
AVMF and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network teamed up with the AAD to set up free skin cancer screenings to local Fire Departments during the annual conference. Thousands of dermatologists from around the globe attend this annual conference.
It was quite the experience getting to spread the word about this program and allow it to build in other states as well! They were able to screen 87 firefighters from 4 surrounding departments!
May 4, 2024
Andy was placed on his third and final memorial wall. Andy’s family and fellow firefighters flew out to Maryland to honor him once more.
Another very special weekend remembering Andy and honoring the sacrifice he made. A total of 226 fallen firefighters were memorialized that weekend
September 14, 2024
AVMF attended the bi-annual conference that provides support and education to female firefighters from all across the globe.
They were able to provide free skin cancer screenings to all attendees of the conference. Over 3 days, they screened 114 female firefighters from numerous different countries, as far as Ghana!
An International Tribute – September 16, 2023
Each year, the International Association of Fire Fighters hosts a fallen firefighter memorial at the beautifully designed granite memorial wall, located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs.
The memorial honors the sacrifice made by IAFF members who have given their lives in the line of duty across the US and Canada. Andy was memorialized on an international level at the 2023 memorial. Nearly 10,000 names have been engraved on the wall, his name now being one of them. His ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.
A Fitting Tribute – July 30, 2022
The California Firefighters Memorial is a unique and moving tribute to firefighters statewide who have died in the line of duty.
This beautiful memorial in Sacramento depicts the heroism of the profession and the anguish felt when a firefighter falls in the line of duty. The centerpiece of the California Firefighters Memorial is a stunning brushed limestone Memorial Wall that currently carries the names of more than 1,500 California fallen firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Monday, May 2, 2022
Belching Beaver Brewery in Vista, CA collaborated with the Vista Firefighters Association to launch a special beer in Andy’s honor: the “True Grit IPA”. Initially intended to raise funds for the Valenta Family, it has now become an annual fundraiser for the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation. 100% of the proceeds goes to the foundation!
The first event for the foundation took place May 2022, and over $14,000 was raised in just a matter of hours! Then in May 2023, the beer was relaunched, and over $7,000 went to the foundation! The event was featured in the North County Daily Star and on Channel 5 Fox News.
The Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation is extremely grateful to everyone at the Belching Beaver Brewery! As it says on the can, “We would like to salute Andy, his wife Caylie, and his daughters Lily and Grace. Cheers today and always to the man who stood in the arena with us, who did everything with enthusiasm, and who taught every one of us what it means to live life.”
Sunday, October 15, 2023
The Melanoma Research Foundation hosts an annual nationwide fundraiser to raise money to support melanoma research. A 5K road race is hosted in numerous cities across the country in which people can form teams to raise money, San Diego being one of those cities.
Miles for Melanoma is a nationwide series of 5K run/walks that allows participants to support and raise funds for the MRF by coming together in their community alongside fellow melanoma patients, survivors, caregivers and supporters.
Each year, “Team AVMF” runs in that race and raises money for this important cause.
Andy Valenta’s name was eternally engraved on the memorial wall. Many friends, family, and coworkers were there in support of Andy. It was a beautiful weekend, put on by the California Fire Foundation.
“To see his name permanently engraved in the Capital of California is incredible, something that our girls can always come back to and see and tell people that their daddy’s name is in the Capital forever. It’s really special, and he absolutely deserves it. I’m so thankful that the Foundation has created it to honor him and every other firefighter for their sacrifice.”
– Caylie Valenta
The Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation Strives to Bring Awareness to the Occupational Cancer Risk Firefighters Face
The California Fire Foundation published a full-page story on the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation and presented Caylie with a donation to assist in raising awareness
Caylie Valenta proudly accepted an American Flag on behalf of The Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation. “To see his name permanently engraved in the Capital of
The ceremony marked the 20th Anniversary of the California Firefighters Memorial in Sacramento’s Capitol Park. Firefighters, their families, departments and community leaders gathered in Sacramento
The San Diego Union-Tribune published a feature story on the Valenta Family and the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation. Valenta said her husband’s oncologists determined that
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