Remembering Bob Saget, SRF Board Member, 2003 – 2022

In loving memory of a true scleroderma champion and our beloved friend

Remembering Bob Saget, SRF Board Member, 2003 – 2022

In loving memory of a true scleroderma champion and our beloved friend

Bob Saget was an acclaimed actor, comedian, director, writer, and producer. He starred in many successful television shows, including two of the most beloved, family-friendly shows network TV has ever produced (“Full House” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos”). He was also the most passionate, creative, and dedicated partner anyone could ask for in the search for a cure.

From Friendship to a Shared Mission

Bob joined the SRF Board of Directors in 2003, but he began his involvement in 1991 through the SRF’s annual signature event, Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine (CCHC)—first as an attendee, then the next year as a performer. Here he met Sharon Monsky, SRF Founder who, together with SRF Board Member Susan Feniger were the initial force behind CCHC. These three would become close friends through a shared desire to end this devastating disease.

In a strange twist of fate, Bob’s sister Gay was diagnosed with scleroderma shortly after his introduction to the SRF. When she passed from scleroderma complications, Bob became even more committed to finding a cure. He ultimately became a key figure not only in co-chairing and producing CCHC but also as part of the SRF’s efforts to understand and end scleroderma.

Using Laughter to Make a Difference

He contributed hugely to national awareness of this disease for 30 years, making thousands of scleroderma patients feel that they had an invincible champion fighting for them.

Nobody understood the power of laughter to shed light on a serious subject better than Bob. Under his years of leadership with Susan Feniger, CCHC raised $25M for vital scleroderma research.

“For Hope”: One of Many Ways Bob Saget Brought National Attention to Scleroderma

When For Hope aired on the ABC television network on November 17, 1996, it was the first—and still only—movie to tell a family’s story of what it’s like to live with scleroderma.

For Hope was written by Susan Rice, produced by Karen Moore, and Executive Produced by Bernie Brillstein and Brad Grey along with Bob Saget (Director). The incredible cast included Dana Delany in the starring role, Henry Czerny, Polly Bergen, Harold Gould, Tracy Nelson, Chris Demetral, and many other guest cameos who gave themselves to this film as a gift to help tell this important story about a then-unrecognized disease—including Sharon Monsky, who appeared as herself.

A Story Inspired by Bob’s Own Family

The story is loosely based on events that profoundly affected Bob and his family, particularly his sister, Gay Saget, who lost her battle with scleroderma, two years earlier, in 1994. He made this film as a statement of the frustration and helplessness he and his family had experienced after his sister had been misdiagnosed and mistreated for the symptoms, rather than for the underlying disease. In telling her story, he hoped to raise awareness about scleroderma and the critical need for research to help people living with the disease.

Helping Put Scleroderma on the Map

“It was a very emotional and fulfilling project, a moment in my life that I will always treasure. I believe that TV movie helped put scleroderma on the map for many. I will spend the rest of my life dedicated to helping our amazing Board of Directors at the incredible Scleroderma Research Foundation to work with the best medical minds in science as we raise the funds for research to one day find a cure.”

-Bob Saget, in honor of the film’s 25th anniversary in 2021

Bob Saget’s Impact Over Time

1991

June 6, 1991

Bob attends Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine for the first time and learns about scleroderma.

1992

Bob first performs at Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine. Later this year, his sister Gay Saget is diagnosed with scleroderma.

1993

Bob becomes the Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine host, a role he would play for the rest of his life.

1994

Gay passes away from scleroderma complications.

1996

Bob releases For Hope, an ABC TV film he executive produced and directed, to honor Gay’s battle with Scleroderma. He also appears alongside SRF Founder Sharon Monsky & SRF Board Member Emeritus Dana Delany in front of Congress to advocate for scleroderma research funding.

2003

Bob joins the SRF Board of Directors and becomes official chair of Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine.

2014

Project Scleroderma’s Beneath the Surface, which Bob co-produced and narrated, is released to raise awareness of scleroderma.

2017

The June Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine event is dedicated to Bob, in honor of his 25 years of service and raises over $1M.

2020

Bob produces and co-hosts with SRF Board Member Susan Feniger the first-ever virtual Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine event, which is broadcast to a global audience.

2022

January 9, 2022

The world mourns the loss of Bob, our beloved friend and scleroderma champion.

A Tribute to Bob Saget: Laughter and Scleroderma

Hear the untold story of how one of the world’s most beloved comedians used his gift of comedy to bring light to darkness.

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