Melanoma Research Foundation

11/21/2025

Our New York Gala may have been just a few weeks ago, but the energy, impact and hope from that night continue to inspire us. We are now just $60,000 away from reaching our $1.2 million goal, and your support can help us cross the finish line!

Hear from Sean Kifer, PR and Events Manager at Coolibar Sun Protective Clothing, as he shares why their collaboration as the MRF’s National Apparel Partner matters and why the Gala is so vital for raising melanoma awareness and life-saving research funds.

If you were moved by the stories, energized by the mission or simply want to help us reach our goal, it’s not too late to make a gift. Every dollar fuels research, resources and progress for the melanoma community: https://us.givergy.com/MRFNYGala25/?controller=pledges&action=campaignPledge

11/21/2025

11/21/2025

A huge thank-you to Aura Biosciences for being a proud Sponsor!

This month, we’re raising awareness around ocular melanoma (OM), the most common eye cancer in adults. While OM is not preventable, early detection through routine, dilated eye exams can be lifesaving. Your support helps us educate the community, empower patients and drive critical research forward.

11/20/2025

Today on , the MRF recognizes the melanoma patients, survivors and caregivers in rural communities who face unique challenges when seeking timely, high-quality care for their diagnosis.

From limited access to long travel distances for treatment, rural patients often experience delays in screenings and diagnosis that can impact their overall health outcomes. These barriers highlight an urgent need for greater awareness, improved access to care and policy solutions that advance health equity in rural communities for melanoma patients.

To help elevate these voices and experiences, we’re sharing our YouTube playlist, Melanoma Matters: Our Drive for Rural Health, featuring two important conversations:

• Getting Screened in Rural America: A look at what the patient experience can be when getting a skin check in rural communities, the barriers to access and how these challenges influence health outcomes.

• Insurance Barriers to Care: A discussion on how existing insurance hurdles make accessing melanoma care even more difficult for rural patients.

Watch the playlist and learn more about why improving access to melanoma care in rural communities is essential to early detection, better outcomes and a healthier future for all.

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

11/19/2025

CURE OM is committed to supporting the dedication of ocular melanoma (OM) researchers not just in November, but all year long.

Their work continues to bring hope and progress to the OM community. To date, the MRF has awarded nearly $2.6 million in research grants dedicated to expanding treatment options and hope for the OM community.

There are currently two FDA-approved treatments for metastatic ocular melanoma — both representing major milestones in advancing care:

• Tebentafusp-tebn (Kimmtrak): The first FDA-approved systemic treatment for metastatic ocular melanoma patients.

• Melphalan Directly to the Liver (Hepzato Kit): The first FDA-approved liver-directed therapy for metastatic ocular melanoma patients.

Each advancement is a testament to the strength of the OM community of patients, researchers and clinicians, whose voices drive awareness and continue to advance research efforts.

Through the campaign, we honor their stories and remain committed to a future with even more treatment options — and ultimately, a cure.

Learn more here: https://melanoma.org/ocular-melanoma/treatment-ocular/

11/18/2025

Curious about the latest melanoma treatments and how new therapies may offer more effective pathways through care? Our upcoming Ask the Expert webinar will explore LAG-3 inhibitors, an emerging and promising approach in melanoma treatment.

In this session, John Kirkwood, MD, Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Usher Professor of Medicine, Dermatology and Translational Science at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will explain how LAG-3 inhibitors work in the body and how they differ from other treatment approaches.

You will also learn how to talk with your healthcare team about clinical trial opportunities and where to find trustworthy information to support your treatment decisions.

RSVP and join us on December 2 at 7 pm ET to stay informed about promising updates in melanoma care and feel empowered to make decisions that support your melanoma journey.

https://melanoma.org/news-press/event/ask-the-expert-lag-3-inhibitors-exploring-a-new-path-in-melanoma-treatment/

11/17/2025

Build a supportive community in the MRF’s Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is a safe, supportive space for melanoma patients, survivors and caregivers to connect and create community. You can use the forum to celebrate a clear scan or other major milestone, take a mindful moment to breathe and reflect or discover new educational resources together.

Visit the forum today and explore existing discussion topics or start your own. This is your digital space to feel connected with your community at any stage of your melanoma journey. https://buff.ly/1dHsqpM

11/15/2025

Tampa, the countdown is on! We’re just 3 weeks away from the first-ever Tampa Bay Miles for Melanoma 5K on Saturday, December 6 and we need YOU to help make it unforgettable! We’re already at 63% of our fundraising goal, but there’s still more to do. Whether you walk, run, donate or encourage others to join, every step fuels critical melanoma research, education and advocacy. Join today: https://donate.melanoma.org/site/TR?fr_id=2083&pg=entry

11/15/2025

San Francisco—tomorrow’s the day! Join us Sunday, November 16 at the San Francisco Zoo for our Miles for Melanoma 5K and help drive progress toward a future free from melanoma.

A special shoutout to Neutrogena, our National Prevention Partner, for championing smart sun habits and protecting our community. Be sure to stop by their booth for complimentary sunscreen and tips to stay safe in the sun.

Let’s show up, stand strong and move toward a cure one step at a time. Registration will be available on-site, so lace up and join us at the start line! https://donate.melanoma.org/site/TR?fr_id=2142&pg=entry

11/15/2025

Our New York Gala may have been just two weeks ago, but the energy, impact and hope from that night continue to inspire us. We’re just $65,000 away from reaching our $1.2 million goal and your support can help us get there!

Hear from celebrity esthetician, this year’s spokesperson and Gala co-chair, Ian Michael Crumm as he shares his favorite part of the New York Gala, what he hoped attendees would take away and why gatherings like this are vital for raising melanoma awareness and critical life-saving research funds.

If you were moved by the stories, the mission and the momentum or simply want to help us cross the finish line, it’s not too late to make a gift. Every dollar fuels research, resources and progress for the melanoma community. Let’s keep the impact going: https://us.givergy.com/MRFNYGala25/?controller=pledges&action=campaignPledge

11/14/2025

A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing Prevention & Awareness Sponsors for helping make our life-saving work possible!

With their support, we can raise awareness about melanoma prevention and early detection, while providing essential resources for treatment, survivorship and ongoing support. Together, we’re saving lives and equipping our community with the knowledge and tools they need to stay protected.