About | SPFCR

Our Mission

“When empathy and compassion are guided by passion, even the simplest act can create a lasting impact."

- Rachael Tiong, Founder & CEO

After losing my grandfather to skin cancer and experiencing the loss of another grandfather to cancer once again, I was inspired to turn my personal experiences into action. I first became involved in research at UC Irvine under Dr. Atwood, whose lab specialized in human skin organoids. During the summer of 2022, I worked with keratinocyte cells to explore their potential for developing skin grafts for transplantation. This experience deepened my passion for research and showed me how science can be used to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

I went on to found SPF Cancer Research (SPFCR), where I am doing everything I can as a student and founder to create the greatest impact possible with the resources, partnerships, and opportunities available to me. As a current Molecular and Cell Biology student at UC Berkeley, I hope to continue pursuing research and medicine while using my education and experiences to help others.

Most importantly, the people I have met and the connections I have made through this nonprofit continue to inspire and motivate me. Hearing people’s stories, learning from others, and seeing how even small efforts can make a difference remind me why I started SPFCR in the first place. I hope SPFCR can continue to grow and help more people, but more than anything, I want others to know that passion can turn an idea into action, and that no matter how young you are or how small you start, you have the ability to create meaningful change.

SPF Cancer Research (SPFCR) was established in 2022 as a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Our objective is to address the critical issue of skin cancer, which is all too frequently overlooked on a global scale. Skin cancer is a pervasive disease that affects countless individuals, yet it often does not receive the attention and resources it deserves.

At SPFCR, we are dedicated to tackling this problem. Our initiatives encompass a range of activities aimed at increasing awareness and advancing research in the field of skin cancer. One key aspect of our work involves expanding the body of knowledge related to the various types of skin cancer. Through research and education, we strive to ensure that individuals and communities are well-informed about the risks, symptoms, and early detection of skin cancer.

Prevention is another core focus of our projects. We recognize the importance of proactive measures in reducing the incidence of skin cancer. To this end, we are committed to distributing SPF 30+ products that offer effective protection against the harmful radiation of the sun. By making these products accessible to the public, we aim to empower individuals to take steps to safeguard their skin health.

We extended our reach globally by passing out more than 10,000 SPF 30 packets of sunblock, spanning from the United States to Malaysia. Our outreach initiatives have successfully spread across a broad spectrum of countries, including nations such as South Africa, Singapore, and New Zealand. Additionally, our advocacy for skin cancer awareness has reached over 250,000 people on social media platforms dedicated to the critical topic of skin cancer prevention.