Category: Melanoma Stories
Take Life as it Comes
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 12 October 2020 In Melanoma Stories
At her local hospital, Karen was told she had both lung and brain cancer. She was in shock – she had been feeling great and was diligent about eating right and exercising. It wasn’t until she met MRA-funded investigator, Dr. Rizwan Haq at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that she learned that her tumors were actually caused by malignant, stage 4 melanoma. Following radiosurgery and combination immunotherapy, Karen’s melanoma is stable.
Elizabeth McGowan & Outpedaling 'The Big C'
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 18 September 2020 In Melanoma Stories
To celebrate her fifth anniversary of being NED, Elizabeth McGowan set out on a 4,250- mile adventure across the United States, coined 'Heals on Wheels.' Now, 20-years later, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author shares insight into her journey with melanoma and her solo bicycle trek in her book: "Outpedaling ‘The Big C’: My Healing Cycle Across America."
Working to Take the Luck Out of Melanoma
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 16 August 2020 In Melanoma Stories
Ellen believes that research is the best tool we have to “take the luck” out of melanoma. She’s proud to be involved with an organization – and a cause – that is relentlessly moving forward in search of answers, new treatments, and ultimately a cure for melanoma. “I know that given the right support, research will get us there,” she says.
Putting Her Faith in Research & Her Doctor
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 23 July 2020 In Melanoma Stories, Treatment
All things considered, things are looking up for Margaret Oplinger. A marble-sized tumor is all that’s left of her Stage 4 melanoma; and her ongoing treatment, every-other week with nivolumab (Opdivo®), will hopefully enable her immune system to attack – and eliminate – this last remnant.
A Personal Journey, A Virtual Platform
23 June 2020 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Science
Meet Shirin Bajaj, a third-year resident at NYU’s School of Medicine and MRA Dermatology Research Fellow. Learn about her work and MRA's Dermatology Fellowship Award Program.
From Dermatology to Treatment: Second Opinions, Clinical Trials & becoming Your Own Best Advocate
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 29 May 2020 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
Through his journey with melanoma, Patrick has learned the importance of always being his own best advocate, getting second opinions, and considering clinical trials.
Facing Melanoma Together
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 20 May 2020 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Measuring the progress of melanoma research through numbers isn’t hard. What’s harder to quantify – or to even put into words – is the individual impact that this research makes in the lives of patients and their loved ones. It's this human impact that Facing Melanoma Together, a series of black and white photographs, helps bring to the forefront.
From Anger to Hope – One Uveal Melanoma Patient’s Journey
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 20 May 2020 In Melanoma Stories
Unlike many of the stories featured by CureMelanoma.org, Melody Burchett’s journey with melanoma didn’t start at her dermatologist’s office. Instead, Melody's journey with melanoma began with a pair of broken glasses that needed replacing, ASAP.
To the Twilight Zone & Back – Ian Schuman’s Story
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 31 March 2020 In Melanoma Stories
For Ian Schuman, the news of his melanoma diagnosis came as a shock. For him, it all started in the spring of 2018 when he noticed a small lump on his left collar bone. As part of preliminary testing before the surgery to remove it, he also had a biopsy.
Dr. Villanueva Takes Aim at NRAS Mutant Melanoma
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 28 March 2020 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
When Dr. Villanueva began her work in melanoma, some 15 years ago, it was the perfect scientific challenge. How could a disease be so aggressive – and still be such a mystery?
Then things got personal.