Melanoma Research Foundation

11/06/2025

We’re just ONE week away, DC!

Clinical trials are the driving force behind progress in melanoma treatment, offering patients access to breakthrough therapies and turning hope into reality. Stage IV melanoma thriver, passionate advocate and former MRF Board Member, Cheryl Stratos, knows this firsthand. Her book, Terminal Hope: How a Clinical Trial Saved My Life, sheds powerful light on how innovative research can change—and save—lives.

Join us next Thursday, November 13 at DC Prime in Ashburn, VA for the DC Wings of Hope Reception, where Cheryl will share her remarkable story and the continued urgency of funding clinical trials.

Every ticket and donation fuels life-saving research and expands access to hope for patients nationwide. Space is limited, secure your spot or make a gift today: https://buff.ly/ZPIk6d6

11/06/2025

New York, last week you made our 24th Annual Gala unforgettable!

Thanks to your extraordinary generosity, we have already raised over $1.12 million — and counting — to fuel life-saving progress in the fight against melanoma. Funds from this year’s event will help support a two-year Established Investigator Award to Dr. Craig Ceol of UMass Chan Medical School, whose groundbreaking research explores how blocking a tumor growth pathway could help overcome immunotherapy resistance, bringing new hope to patients who urgently need better treatment options.

Your continued support drives the discoveries that change lives. If you didn’t get a chance to give or want to help push us even farther, there’s still time to make a meaningful, tax-deductible impact: https://us.givergy.com/MRFNYGala25/?controller=pledges&action=campaignPledge

Event photos are now live, relive the magic and tag your friends! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1221268766700491&type=3

11/05/2025

We are proud to recognize two outstanding researchers honored at the recent Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) International Congress.

The Christopher J. Marshall Award was presented to Dr. Simone Lubrano, PhD (University of Pisa, Italy and UCSF) for his recent research achievements and publications including “FAK inhibition combined with the RAF-MEK clamp avutometinib overcomes resistance to targeted and immune therapies in BRAF V600E melanoma,” recently published in Cancer Cell. https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F40020669%2F&data=05%7C02%7Clibrahim%40melanoma.org%7C3641c4112a7e4f3baa0c08de1ca64e12%7Cf8e25f2d695b481e85a0708219c6e2ef%7C1%7C0%7C638979697829189583%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lx%2FCrmBl%2B6eTBh4HhgJG4STKUS7rxtHuJ6ArAv8vUEI%3D&reserved=0

The Young Investigator Award was awarded to Dr. Joanna Poźniak, PhD (VIB-KU Leuven, Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Belgium) for her research accomplishments and Cancer Discovery publication “Cytotoxic NK Cells Impede Response to Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Melanoma with an Immune-excluded Phenotype”. https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F40530504%2F&data=05%7C02%7Clibrahim%40melanoma.org%7C3641c4112a7e4f3baa0c08de1ca64e12%7Cf8e25f2d695b481e85a0708219c6e2ef%7C1%7C0%7C638979697829216370%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fps8M6rBQuT9VpIxQLYkMWWQPpP3mhqtNtSit2JIvMs%3D&reserved=0

Both awards highlight the MRF’s commitment to melanoma research advancements and supporting the next generation of scientific leaders driving innovation and progress in the field.

Learn more about all MRF funded research here: https://melanoma.org/research-science/research-grants-rfps/funded-research/

11/04/2025

The 2025 Global Melanoma Coalition (GMC) Annual Meeting concluded on October 30 in Amsterdam, bringing together patient advocacy member organizations from around the world in a collective effort to advance global collaboration and improve outcomes for melanoma patients.

The MRF is proud to be part of this global initiative, making worldwide impacts for the melanoma community. Thank you to our GMC event sponsors: Pfizer, Iovance, Regeneron, Bristol Myers Squibb and Immunocore.

Pictured: MRF staff members Kim Wezik, Saralan Campbell and Bonnie Teng with attendees at the 2025 GMC Annual Meeting

11/04/2025

Atlanta, THANK YOU! You made this year’s Miles for Melanoma 5K truly unforgettable. With over 215 participants, together we surpassed our fundraising goal, raising more than $59,983 (113%) to fuel life-saving research, support patients and families and drive advocacy that creates real change. We can’t wait to reunite again in 2026.

11/03/2025

Make Your Voice Heard for the Melanoma Community at Advocacy Days!

Registration is now open for Advocacy Days, happening March 1–3, 2026 in Washington, DC!

Join melanoma patients, caregivers, supporters and advocates from across the country as we unite to share our stories, connect with lawmakers and champion policies that improve outcomes for everyone affected by melanoma.

Whether it’s your first time or you’ve joined before, your voice matters—and this is your chance to help drive meaningful change in Washington.

Please note: Limited travel scholarships are available and will be awarded on a lottery based system.

Learn more and register now: https://buff.ly/XMvrmMB

11/03/2025

11/03/2025

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for supporting the upcoming DC Wings of Hope Reception! Your generosity fuels the research and clinical trials that lead to breakthrough treatments, longer lives and renewed hope for melanoma patients.

Join us on Thursday, November 13 at DC Prime in Ashburn, VA, for an evening of hope and progress. There’s still time to make an impact—become a sponsor today and help power the next wave of life-saving melanoma research. Click the link to learn more or to purchase a sponsorship: https://buff.ly/ZPIk6d6

11/01/2025

All month, we’re shining a light on ocular melanoma (OM) — the most common eye cancer in adults — and the importance of early detection through routine, dilated eye exams through our campaign. Though OM is not preventable, we know that awareness and early detection are critical. A yearly dilated eye exam can be lifesaving. OM is often found during a simple, painless eye exam that can help protect your vision and your life in the long run.

All month, we’ll support the OM community through:
• Educational resources about OM awareness, early detection and treatment
• Inspiring patient and caregiver stories
• Details about an upcoming Ask the Expert webinar focused on OM

is here and we’re excited to encourage more people to schedule their annual dilated eye exam while celebrating and lifting up the OM community.

Learn more and explore resources: https://buff.ly/eQxR9Fl

10/31/2025

New York, you made our 24th Annual Gala an unforgettable night of hope, impact and community. 💙 Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve already raised more than $1.1 million (and counting!) to fuel life-saving melanoma research, expand patient and caregiver resources and strengthen advocacy nationwide.

Together, we celebrated the courage and resilience of the community and honored remarkable melanoma patients, survivors and clinicians whose collective stories remind us why this mission matters so deeply. Your support is powering the progress that brings us closer to a cure because when we unite, .

If you weren’t able to give during the gala, there’s still time to make a difference and support our mission critical work. Click the link to donate today and help us keep the momentum going: https://us.givergy.com/MRFNYGala25/?controller=pledges&action=campaignPledge

10/31/2025

Melanoma patients and caregivers are invited to join a supportive community experience designed to empower every step of the melanoma journey. Registration is now open for Together Against Melanoma: Patient & Caregiver Symposium at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.

On November 22, take part in a meaningful day dedicated to learning, connection and shared strength among patients, caregivers and loved ones.

This hybrid event brings together leading clinicians and the melanoma community to explore what is possible in care and survivorship. Throughout the program, participants will:
• Learn how nutrition can support melanoma care and survivorship
• Explore emerging immunotherapy approaches offering new options for advanced disease
• Hear firsthand stories from patients and caregivers navigating the path forward

Attendees will leave with practical tools, renewed confidence in managing melanoma at every stage and new hope and inspiration along the way.

Event Details:
Date: November 22, 2025
Location: Saint John's Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA
Format: In-person and virtual options available

Register and learn more here: https://buff.ly/mueMlVh