Category: Melanoma Stories
Leading the Charge: MRA 2022 Annual Report
1 February 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, News, Policy, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Since our inception in 2007, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) has been laser-focused on advancing cutting-edge research needed to achieve our mission. With our singular vision, MRA stands as the largest private nonprofit funder of melanoma research in the world.
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.
MRA's Latest Research Report: The Melanoma Research Community Reunites
11 August 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Each year, MRA brings together hundreds of people from across the melanoma research community to exchange ideas, report on scientific progress, celebrate achievements, and mourn our collective losses.
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.
Recordings from MRA's 2022 Patient Forum
16 March 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Policy, Prevention, Science, Treatment
MRA’s Melanoma Exchange Patient Forum, held in-person in Washington DC and virtually on March 9, 2022, brought together hundreds of melanoma patients, survivors, advocates, and their loved ones to provide lay-friendly, state-of-the-science education, promote collaboration, and provided networking opportunities across the melanoma community.
Melanoma Free & Living Scan-to-Scan
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 4 March 2022 In Melanoma Stories
In 2007, while staining her deck at home, Debra Likes – who goes by Debbie – decided she’d had enough and would finally see her primary care doctor. She had been ignoring a mole on her left calf for more than a year as she watched it slowly transform from a round...
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.