Bob Whitman Research Foundation

The Bob Whitman Research Foundation is an excellent nonprofit that raises funds for melanoma research while also spreading skin cancer awareness. Each year, the annual Bobfest brings us together to celebrate the life of Bob Whitman and fight for a future cure. It is an honor to attend this event every year and contribute to the hope of this cause.

The Bob Whitman Research Foundation was started to honor Bob Whitman and support cancer research, especially melanoma and skin cancer. It is truly a GREAT nonprofit and deserves recognition.

Through hard work and tireless efforts since 2001 this foundation has donated over $44K to the Melanoma Research Foundation, and $24K to the Skin of Steel, with $30K combined to: PANCAN Pancreatic Cancer Research, Breast Cancer Research at NMH,
National Brain Tumor Society, Chai Lifeline Camp Simcha Special for Kids with Disabilities.

Bobfest is a fun event every year with famous Chicago blues musicians donating their time, the food and music is a huge highlight. I can’t wait for BOBFEST!

Bobfest is a much anticipated party/event. We enjoy famous blues man Dave Specter and his band, as well as friends and family contributing musical talent. The food is great, the people fun and the vibe is awesome!

I have known the founders of this excellent foundation for decades. They are wonderful, genuine and caring people who created this foundation in memory of their deceased brother who died from melanoma cancer. I have contributed to the foundation and attended many, many foundation events over the years. The annual event is always a moving, loving, community experience meant to help fund the work to cure melanoma cancer and to honor the memory of Bob Whitman, a man loved by all.

I am excitedly waiting for the 18th annual BobFest at Space on November 19th! I have been to everyone of them and can not wait! If you like great music, great food and great friends having a wonderful afternoon, well you are really missing something. However, the reason for BobFest is for Bobby himself by celebrating his life. A wonderful charity for a great purpose to raise funds for the Bob Whitman Research Foundation that goes directly for research into melanomas.

Since Bob Whitman died much too soon, his brother Richard and sister-in-law Kathy have dedicated themselves to finding a cure. Toward this end they have worked tirelessly for decades raising money for research. Every penny - and I mean EVERY penny raised goes to research. They simultaneously keep Bob’s memory alive and do good, the perfect nonprofit!

Bobfest is always a great time. Top level music and good food. More importantly, it's a great cause - cancer research.

The annual Bobfest event is in memory of our friend, brother, uncle, and all around good guy Bob Whitman. Bob's untimely early death from melanoma has made us determined to fund research and find a cure for this terrible disease. Bob was a really funny guy, but we are overwhelmed by the fact that cancer is NOT funny.
The music at Bobfest makes us miss Bob as a musician but it reminds us that music is something we will always share with him.

BWRF does righteous and very important work in raising funds and awareness for cancer research, specifically melanoma. Their annual fundraising event, Bobfest is beautifully run and organized featuring live music, great food and friendships amongst people that attend every year.

I have attended Bobfest every year that my schedules have permitted and am amazed at the dedication and commitment that the Bob Whitman Research Foundation has to cancer research, particularly melanoma, and the funds that have been dispersed! We can make a difference!

Great Fun at BobFest every year! Classy Music acts entertain including Dave Spector, international musician specializing in blues. And all for Melanoma Research.

I have found the Bob Whitman Research Foundation to be one of must outstanding nonprofit groups that I have come in contact with over the years. This Foundation is truly trying to make a difference by devoting their efforts and funds to find a cure for various cancers. They are all true to their cause and will not give up until they do find those cures. I thank them for their determination and hard work.

The Bob Whitman Foundation has had fundraisers "Bobfest" with live music for over 15 years. At the events Kathy Brown Whitman has presented how the funds have helped so many individuals fighting melanoma. Some young children have received summer camp scholarships, some have received financial relief for treatment. There has been tremendous advocacy and information dessimination regarding melanoma, I personally have learned so much. I have contributed every year freely. This foundation was started in memory of Kathy Brown Whitman's brother in law Bobby who succumbed to melanoma. Tragically, Kathy's son has also been afflicted with melanoma but with extensive treatment now has no evidence of disease. Kathy is passionate for this cause and her non-profit mirrors her dedication and tireless effort.

We have attended BOBFEST every year since the Foundation was established in 2001. It is managed exclusively by family volunteers who are committed to fund the most promising research in melanoma and pancreatic cancer by partnering with the Melanoma Research Foundation. BOBFEST continues to honor the memory of Richard’s brother who passed away in his early 40’s after the discovery of the presence of the family gene that triggered his melanoma. BOBFEST celebrates Bob’s life featuring , not only the music he loved , but the people he loved. Inspired by his life, his family and friends remember him by coming together to advance melanoma research and provide hope for those families impacted by melanoma. We look forward to the tradition of BOBFEST every year and the opportunity to support the Whitman family in their loving commitment to Bob through raising funds for progress in melanoma research.

My friends and I look forward to Bobfest every year. The location has always been fun and accommodating, especially Evanston's SPACE for the last few years-- a spectacular venue (pun intended for Dave Specter, Bob's great friend and prolific Chicago blues recording artist who headlines each year with different, fantastic collaborators). The members of the Board are always welcoming and the atmosphere is friendly in how they celebrate family and community. Rich and Kathy Whitman host a great show that features various musicians from that family and community. They are proud of the monies raised and attention given to cancer research.

I knew Bob. So many people have been affected somehow from cancer. The Bob Whitman Research Foundation took that pain and sadness and grief of loosing Bob to a new level of doing something for the future! Enjoying music and hospitality with good friends and family is what Bob would have loved. Being able to raise money and donate for cancer research has helped with the loss and with the devastation of cancer. The only way we can truly fight cancer is with research!

I have known Kathy and Richard Whitman since 1970 when we were freshman at the University of Illinois. We have kept in touch throughout the years at both sad and joyous times in our lives. It was devastating for them both to lose Bob at such a young age to cancer. They took that sadness and created a charity for cancer research that celebrates Bob's life and helps many afflicted with the disease. I feel like I have gotten to know Bob myself through this yearly fundraising event replete with friends, family, food and great music. I think the character of the Bob Whitman Research Foundation reflects the character of Kathy and Richard. Words that come to mind are strength, commitment, caring, vision and love!

Sincerely,

Lynn Wendt

The Bob Whitman Research Foundation was created by the two surviving members of a family that has been devastated by cancer with the goal of memorializing their loved ones by raising money to support cancer research. The primary fundraiser for 13 years is a music based event prresented with volunteer talent that attracts donors who enjoy the show and value the committment of the founders and their board, who are known personally by most of the attendees.