News
A Melanoma Miracle Paid Forward
By Tyler Brown, MRA Senior Associate, Patient Engagement & Operations | 26 March 2021
When Lauren was living in Tanzania, she made a bucket list that included 'seeing a miracle." Little did she know she would become her own melanoma miracle. Almost eight years later, she is just beginning her career as a nurse and continues to be NED.
Dr. James Allison on the Path to More Effective Immunotherapies
24 March 2021 In Science, Treatment
When MRA co-founder and Board Chair Debra Black introduced James Allison of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at MRA’s 2020 Scientific Retreat, she described him as the man “who changed the way cancer patients are treated forever.” This fitting introduction is due to Allison’s pioneering work to mainstream the...
Craig Finds Meaning in His Melanoma Diagnosis in the COVID-19 Era
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 11 March 2021 In Melanoma Stories
“I believe there is a reason that I’m going through this. If I can help prevent someone else’s melanoma, or make their journey easier, or help advance research – that’d be worth it,” says Craig. “I feel honored to be part of the melanoma community. It’s a powerful community – and I feel obligated to do something in support of it.”
Relentless in the Fight: Dr. F. Stephen Hodi
5 March 2021 In Melanoma Stories, Science
Every revolution needs trailblazers—people who restlessly and relentlessly search for paths forward. At MRA, we’re fortunate to partner with innovative trailblazers who are guiding the entire field of melanoma further, such as two time MRA-funded investigator Dr. F. Stephen Hodi.
Denise Kellen is On a Mission to Advance Melanoma Prevention & Early Detection
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 23 February 2021 In Melanoma Stories
Growing up – from June until August – Denise Kellen and her family practically lived at Lido Beach on Long Island’s south shore. They’d swim, play on the surf, read, and sunbathe. Like clockwork she’d develop two to three severe sunburns that would leave her pale skin a fiery red before peeling away. If only Denise knew then what she knows now.
Join MRA for Exciting Two-Day Virtual Event - April 15 and May 6!
22 February 2021 In Events
Throughout the event, you’ll hear from leading experts in the melanoma field and have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss, and network with other people who are going through their own melanoma journey. Each session will provide information, insight, and strategies to help navigate melanoma diagnosis, treatment, or beyond.
Estimating Melanoma Risk by Examining Skin’s Mutational Burden
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 10 February 2021 In Prevention, Science
We’ve known for decades that most melanomas – formed from the color-producing cells in our skin called melanocytes – are predominantly caused by UV-radiation-induced damage from the sun or indoor tanning devices. This damage is cumulative but is often invisible.
Melanoma Models for the Next Decade of Progress
By Kristen Mueller, PhD | 8 February 2021 In Science
Despite the tremendous progress that’s been made over the past decade for patients with melanoma, nearly half of patients do not benefit from currently approved therapies. Developing novel therapies for these individuals is a daunting challenge that begins with laboratory studies and hopefully ends with a drug candidate that is...
Personalized Vaccines for Melanoma – An Update
By Marc Hurlbert, PhD, MRA Chief Executive Officer | 2 February 2021 In Science, Treatment
Vaccines work by priming the immune system, thereby reducing the severity and duration of symptoms or lowering the risk of becoming infected at all. And while vaccines have changed the world for infectious disease, did you know they can also help combat cancers.
Five Melanoma Research Highlights to Look Forward to in 2021
By Marc Hurlbert, PhD, MRA Chief Executive Officer | 13 January 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
At MRA, every day we are focused on how melanoma research can be reimagined to accelerate progress similar to what has been accomplished in record time with COVID-19 research, and look forward to a future not only void of COVID-19; but where suffering and death due to melanoma are no more.