Articles by Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager
JD Durkin: An Early-Stage Melanoma & Redefining His Relationship with the Sun
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 26 April 2023 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention
As he entered his 30s, skin exams and biopsies were a regular and frequent occurrence in J.D. Durkin’s life. Growing up with many irregular moles, he started seeing his dermatologist regularly at just 10-years old. Unfortunately for J.D., this meant many excisional biopsies.
Make a Difference this Melanoma Awareness Month
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 24 April 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Prevention
Melanoma Awareness Month, held each May, is an opportunity to join forces with other melanoma advocates to raise awareness of melanoma, the importance of early detection, and the many ways to practice sun safety. MRA has an exciting month of activities planned - and we hope you can join us! Read more to learn about all the ways you can get involved and make a difference this Melanoma Awareness Month.
Melanoma at 33: A Testament to the Importance of Early Detection
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 23 January 2023 In Melanoma Stories
Before he landed his current office job in the energy sector, Matthew Ruiz worked outdoors for many years. He, along with many of his colleagues in the field, took very few precautions to protect themselves from harmful UV rays. As is the unfortunate reality for many people with a history of significant sun exposure, this lifestyle came full circle for Matthew in 2018 when he was diagnosed with melanoma.
From Melanoma Patient to Caregiver
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 11 November 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Science, Treatment
By the time she was 26-years old, Leah Adams had spent countless hours tanning. Growing up in Ohio where the winters were long, she felt a pressure to stay tan far beyond the summer months, so she turned to tanning beds.
Music vs. Melanoma: 13-Year-Old Raises $6K for Research
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 7 October 2022
Cassidy Battin, an 8th grader from Carlsbad, California, and her family are no strangers to melanoma. Her great aunt sadly died of uveal melanoma, a rare subtype that forms in the eye, when Cassidy was younger. Her grandfather also had melanoma, along with several other loved ones in the family.
Melanoma Clinical Trial Success Story: From Patient Volunteer to No Evidence of Disease
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 3 August 2022 In Melanoma Stories, Science
This Mom of three enrolled in a neoadjuvant clinical trial for Stage 3 melanoma. After two infusions of Opdualag, Shannon underwent a successful surgery where doctors removed all affected lymph nodes and tested them, revealing No Evidence of Disease (NED).
25-Year-Old Melanoma Patient Runs Marathon to Support Research
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 24 June 2022 In Melanoma Stories
Camille Price was 24-years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma. After undergoing surgery and an additional treatment to reduce the likelihood of her melanoma returning, she chose to run the Miami Marathon in support of the Melanoma Research Alliance.
Why I Step - Lynn Merrill Iverson
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 25 April 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories
In 2021, as part of MRA’s inaugural Step Up for Melanoma challenge, Lynn joined hundreds of supportive and passionate individuals across the country to share Bert’s story, keep his memory alive, raise awareness, and complete 310,000 steps during Melanoma Awareness Month.
7200 Miles for 7200 Lives Lost: Cycling and Community Building After a Melanoma Diagnosis
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 23 February 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Last year in the US, there were an estimated 7,180 deaths from melanoma. For melanoma patient and competitive cyclist Bill Evans, this number is on his mind every single day. Two years into his own journey with advanced melanoma, Bill is raising awareness and funds for melanoma research through cycling, with a goal of completing one mile for every life lost to the disease over the course of a year.
One Family, One Community, One Goal: Cure Melanoma
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 27 October 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Melanoma is personal for Kathy Mason, and positivity is a way of life since her son Ryan’s Stage 3 melanoma diagnosis at only 24-years old.
About the Author
Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager
Renee Orcione joined the MRA team as a Development Associate in February 2020 and was promoted to Digital Engagement & Communications Manager in September 2022. In her role, Renee provides substantial communications and programmatic support and is responsible for creating, executing, and optimizing content and campaigns to advance MRA’s mission and vision through digital channels.
Renee graduated with a BA in Public Communications and Spanish from American University’s School of Communication in 2016. While in college, she discovered her passion for non-profit work while interning with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and was involved with several other mission-based organizations, including Run Hope Work and City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties. Renee joined MRA after spending two years at Child Care Aware of America, a nonprofit focused on advancing quality child care for all families.
Outside of the office, Renee enjoys traveling, visiting her family in Massachusetts, and spending time with her dogs Linus, who she adopted through City Dogs Rescue, and Rony, her husband's retired military working dog.