News
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.
Trust Your Gut & Other Tips for Facing Melanoma
20 April 2023 In Events, Melanoma Stories, Treatment
Whether new to melanoma or well into your journey — as a patient, survivor, or caregiver — practical tips, strategies, and advice were shared at the 2022 MRA Melanoma Exchange Patient and Advocate Forum. Speakers at the Forum discussed what types of providers to seek, how to find information about your disease, how to advocate...
TIL Therapy in Melanoma: Where We Stand
By Tanisha Jackson, PhD - MRA Scientific Program Director | 4 April 2023 In Science, Treatment
Despite the incredible progress made to develop new treatment options for melanoma, almost 50% of patients are still not responding to the latest approved therapies. To address this important unmet need for patients with difficult to treat melanoma, clinicians are looking to new strategies including cellular therapy.
Melanoma Clinical Trials to Watch: March 2023
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 27 March 2023 In News, Science, Treatment
Clinical trials, and the patient volunteers who make them possible, are critical to advancing melanoma research. In the Melanoma Clinical Trials to Watch article series, we’ll regularly highlight clinical trials that are currently recruiting patients, have recently shared exciting updates, or are blazing new trails.
Hot Rod Charlie and How Partnerships Move the Field Forward
23 March 2023 In Allies & Partnerships
“This is bigger than us,” says Patrick O’Neill. “This is a movement, and we want young people to get involved in melanoma prevention and early detection.”
The Role of Targeted Therapy in Treating Advanced Melanoma
By Rachel Fischer, Ph.D., Associate Director, Scientific Program & Registry | 20 March 2023 In Science, Treatment
Targeted therapies are an important part of the melanoma treatment arsenal, but where do they fit within the standard of care? Learn more about BRAF mutations, targeted therapy, and areas of future research.
Recordings from MRA's 2023 Patient Forum
16 March 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Policy, Prevention, Science, Treatment
MRA’s 2023 Patient Forum brought together melanoma patients, survivors, advocates, and their loved ones to provide lay-friendly, state-of-the-science education and promote collaboration.
Facing Mucosal Melanoma, this Patient Turned to a TIL Clinical Trial
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 27 February 2023 In Melanoma Stories
In July of 2018, after a string of false starts and dead ends, Chris White was finally diagnosed with mucosal melanoma, a rare subtype of melanoma that forms on ‘wet tissues’ in the body. Mucosal melanoma accounts for about 1% of all melanoma diagnosis and can affect the nasal cavity,...
Sun Safety for the Melanoma Community
21 February 2023 In Events, Prevention
During a panel conversation at MRA's 2022 Patient Forum, Tracy Callahan, a five-time survivor of melanoma, was joined by Drs. Susan Swetter, Maria Wei, and Rachel Vogel to discus how people affected by melanoma can keep themselves and their loved ones safe from new melanomas while living life to the fullest.