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| | Pediatric Melanoma Awareness Month! September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and at the MRF we are wrapping up our month-long pediatric melanoma campaign, SPOT-ing-the-Difference with #SpotTheDog. For our families who have had a child diagnosed with melanoma, it is devastating. As a rarer form of melanoma, it impacts roughly 500 children a year. It is an area that is not as heavily researched as adult melanoma and for parents advocating for their children to have the best possible care and treatment, it becomes all-encompassing and overwhelming.
To-date, the MRF has funded several grants in the pediatric melanoma research space ranging from Medical Student Awards through Career Development Awards. The projects range from supporting a registry to biomarker work and include the following:
Kevin Nguyen, MD, MS: West Virginia University Research Corporation
Predictors of Nodal Metastases in Pediatric Melanomas
Alexandra Dubinsky: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation
Telomere Length-Promoting Mutational Landscape in Pediatric Melanoma
William Dufficy: University of Colorado
Molecular and clinical profile of melanoma in pediatric patients
In addition to funding transformational research, we are committed to supporting the educational and psycho-social needs of pediatric patients and their families. In 2025, the Foundation will be hosting a pediatric melanoma family retreat weekend at Camp Boggy Creek in Florida, scheduled for February 21 – 23. This retreat aims to provide community support, education by top healthcare providers, community support and fun to families affected by pediatric melanoma. The event welcomes patients from ages 5-17 years old, their siblings and caretakers. This program will be free to all participating families. The application will open on October 1 and will close on December 13.
Lastly, we could not do this work without our community. If you would like to support the pediatric melanoma program, please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
Kyleigh M. LiPira, MBA
CEO
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| Advocacy Days: Save the Date |
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| Join melanoma patients, caregivers, supporters and advocates from across the country on March 2-4, 2025, in Washington, DC to learn about issues facing the melanoma community, advance our community's key legislative priorities and share your story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. |
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| | Congratulations to our Newest Grant Recipients! |
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We are pleased to announce that the Foundation will award $1.2 million in peer-reviewed research grants to advance melanoma research and innovative treatment options for the melanoma community. Nine Career Development Awards (CDA) and Established Investigator Awards (EIA) will support trailblazing research spanning immunotherapy resistance, treatment of mucosal melanoma, identification of uveal melanoma, melanoma prevention (funded as part of our inaugural Prevention Award given in honor of 2023 #GetNaked spokesperson and this year’s NYC Gala emcee, Teddi Mellencamp) and more! We are thankful for the generosity of the 4th Annual #GetNakedJax Beach Bash for funding one of our CDA grant awardees, as well. To date, the MRF has funded over $26 million in research grants leading to more treatment options, progress and hope for the melanoma community.
To learn more about each research project, visit the funded research page.
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| Apply Now: 2025 Medical Student and Resident-Fellow Research Awards Request for Proposals (RFP) |
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| Medical Student and Resident-Fellow Research Awards RFPs are now available. These awards promote research opportunities to trainees early in their careers by providing one-year of support (either $3,000 for the Medical Student Awards or $10,000 for the Resident-Fellow Awards) for clinical or laboratory-based research projects focused on better understanding the prevention, early-detection, behaviors that impact melanoma risk, biology and treatment of melanoma, including cutaneous, ocular, mucosal, pediatric and acral lentiginous melanoma. In 2025, in addition to awards focused on any aspect of melanoma research, the MRF is pleased to offer at least one medical student and one resident-fellow award focused specifically on ocular melanoma research.
Applications are currently being accepted via Proposal Central here. The deadline for the Medical Student Research Awards is November 18, 2024 at 5:00pm ET and Resident/Fellow Research Grants applications will be accepted until February 3, 2025, at 5:00pm ET. For more information about either grant opportunity, including eligibility requirements and complete application instructions, please visit the Research Grant RFP page.
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| | Take our Melanoma Prevention Survey Today! |
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| We need your input! Help us better educate the public on the key melanoma prevention issues impacting us today. We invite you to complete this brief prevention survey to help us gain valuable insights into the most pressing issues needed to educate all on how to prevent and detect the early signs of melanoma. While cutaneous melanoma is highly preventable, we need your help in reaching the public to ensure ALL understand the importance of and key steps to prevent melanoma.
By completing this survey, you will have the chance to win a $50 American Express gift card. The winner will be chosen on November 1, so complete the survey today! |
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| 13th Annual Denver Gala Recap From left to right: Stephen C. Ho, MD, David A. Henry, Kelly Gallagher-Abbott and Mike Nelson
Denver, we cannot thank you enough for supporting the 13th Annual Gala! We had an incredible evening with you all. The energy and commitment of our 250 guests was truly inspiring. Thanks to your generous support, we EXCEEDED our goal and raised over $300K which will help fund national research grants aimed at discovering improved treatments for melanoma, offer educational programs for patients and families and strengthen critical federal and state advocacy efforts. There’s still time to make a meaningful, tax-deductible donation in support of the MRF’s vital mission. Click here to donate today! |
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| ONE MONTH AWAY: Secure Your Tickets for the New York Gala! |
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| We look forward to welcoming the melanoma community at the 23rd Annual New York Gala on Thursday, October 24. Attendees can enjoy cocktails, a splendid dinner, an exceptional auction and an awards program. Daniel Coit, MD, FACS will receive the Humanitarian Award in recognition of his significant contributions to melanoma research and treatment. Additionally, Julie Russak, MD, FAAD will be honored with the Compassionate Care Award for her unparalleled dedication and compassion with which she treats her patients. Ian Michael Crumm will be presented with the Influencer Award for his innovative use of social media to increase melanoma awareness. Raheem Mostert, this year's #GetNaked spokesperson, will receive a special Courage Award for bravely using his platform to promote melanoma awareness and advocacy efforts. Marit Peterson, a resilient survivor, will also be presented with a Courage Award for her valor in facing melanoma and her tireless efforts to increase awareness around pediatric melanoma.
Don’t forget – TV Personality, wellness coach, co-host of the “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast, 2023 #GetNaked Spokesperson and melanoma patient, Teddi Mellencamp, will headline as our event emcee for the evening! Join us on Tuesday, October 8 for an Instagram Live with Teddi and MRF CEO, Kyleigh LiPira - more information coming soon!
Limited tickets are still available, don't miss out on purchasing your ticket today! For further information about the New York Gala, to purchase tickets, learn about sponsorship opportunities or make a tax-deductible donation, click the button below. |
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| Education Round Up - Empowering the Community through Collaboration! |
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Don’t miss the next Together Against Melanoma: Patient & Caregiver Symposium on Saturday, October 26 from 8:00am – 1:00pm PST in Santa Monica, CA. Hosted in partnership with Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute, you will gain insights into melanoma diagnosis, treatment, supportive care and connect with others. With both in person and virtual attendance options, we encourage you to click below to read the agenda and register today!
Get expert advice and answers to your melanoma related health questions from Nurse Whitney Baylor through our Ask a Nurse Program. Don’t miss this opportunity— email askanurse@melanoma.org to start the conversation!
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| | California lawmakers pass resolution urging Congressional action on sunscreen |
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In August, California Assembly member Evan Low’s resolution, AJR 16, calling on Congress to explore policy options to improve the timeliness of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) sunscreen filter approval pathway passed and was chaptered by the California Secretary of State. While not binding, the resolution clearly communicates to Congress that the American people are eager for more options when it comes to sunscreen filters. Currently, many countries outside the United States have filters that offer broader protection against harmful UV rays as well as different formulations for darker or more sensitive skin. Unfortunately, the FDA has failed to approve any new filters since 1999, putting the United States decades behind peer countries.
We have worked to amplify this issue with federal lawmakers. Last December, we participated in a Congressional briefing to educate Hill staffers on the health implications of delayed approvals and MRF advocates also asked lawmakers to send a Dear Colleague to the FDA urging alignment with international safety standards for sunscreen filter approvals in an effort to remove unnecessary hurdles to approval. The best sunscreen is the one you will wear, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to sunscreens that work for them.
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| Join the Final Stretch: Miles for Melanoma 5K Events this Fall & Winter! |
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| We're nearing the end of our Miles for Melanoma 5K season, with just 7 events remaining! Don't miss your chance—join us this fall and winter! Upcoming events include: Seattle, WA (October 5), Los Angeles, CA (October 6), San Diego, CA (October 20), Atlanta, GA (November 3), San Francisco, CA (November 10) and Fort Myers, FL (December 14). Our Miami, FL registration page will be opening later this fall! Take action today—register, rally your team and start earning exciting fundraising rewards! Your support is essential in the fight against melanoma. Be part of the movement, and together we can create lasting change! |
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