The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) reflects on one year after losing longtime supporter and board member, Bob Saget, and looks ahead to continuing his legacy in 2023. For more than 30 years, Bob was dedicated to supporting the SRF—the country’s first and leading nonprofit investor in medical research into scleroderma. Since Saget’s passing on January 9, 2022, there has been a generous outpouring of love and admiration from friends, family, and fans seeking to honor Bob’s legacy. The support fueled the creation of the Bob Saget Memorial Fund, which will award its first grants in 2023.
In January 2022, fellow SRF board members, philanthropists, and friends of Saget, Dr. Luke Evnin and Deann Wright were inspired by Bob’s legacy and announced a $1.5M matching gift in his honor, inviting others to join. More than 4,180 individuals responded, demonstrating the impact Saget had on raising awareness and his passion for finding a cure. These gifts seeded the Bob Saget Memorial Research Fund and will be used to fund the most promising, innovative scleroderma research through grants that will be awarded in 2023. Bob’s passion continues as the SRF continues to raise funds and awareness to extend his 30-plus years of commitment to the organization’s mission to find a cure for scleroderma.
“Bob was an inspiration to us all and intended to work alongside the team at the Scleroderma Research Foundation until a cure was found and the organization could close its doors,” said Dr. Luke Evnin.
“Through the Bob Saget Memorial Fund, we are inspired to join together with so many others in continuing Bob’s legacy as we push forward in supporting vital research to realize that dream and to win the fight against scleroderma,” concurred Deann Wright.
Saget passionately championed the Scleroderma Research Foundation since losing his sister to the disease in 1994. In 2003, he joined the Board of Directors and since 1991, he hosted Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine, an event that brings together the best comedians, musicians, and more. With Bob at the helm, Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine raised more than $26 million toward funding research through 2021. Saget actively contributed to the organization’s day-to-day operations and played a pivotal role in its success. He met with patients, built lasting relationships through his gift of storytelling and laughter, and shared his own experience of the impact of scleroderma in his own family’s life. He passionately sought to find a cure and connected deeply with those affected by the disease.
In the past year, Bob’s friends and loved ones have worked to continue his legacy, honor him, and recognize his singular and lifelong commitment to the Scleroderma Research Foundation. On September 22, 2022, Co-chairs John Mayer, Kelly Rizzo, Jeff Ross, and SRF Board Member, Susan Feniger presented and curated Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine, raising more than $1.3M for the Scleroderma Research Foundation in a moving tribute to Bob Saget.
About Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF): The Scleroderma Research Foundation is the single largest investor in scleroderma research in the U.S., focused on bringing the best minds in science together to find a cure for scleroderma. The SRF was established in 1987 by patient-turned-activist Sharon Monsky, when research on this potentially life-threatening illness was nearly nonexistent. Sharon lost her battle to the disease in 2002, but her vision lives on today, as the SRF remains committed to funding the most promising research aimed at improved therapies and finding a cure. Through the generosity of donors, the SRF has invested more than $39 million dollars to date in scleroderma research, funding and facilitating research at top universities such as Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Stanford University, and University of California, San Francisco, so that—one day—no one will suffer from scleroderma. Stay engaged with SRF at http://srfcure.org and via social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Media Contact: Julie Richter | julie@brownemusser.com | 480.818.8022
