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We had a great year thanks to you! As the MRF CURE Initiative wraps up another incredible year, the MRF wants to take a moment to celebrate all that has been achieved, and it's all thanks to YOU—our dedicated supporters, patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers and community partners.
Some highlights of the past year included, the commUNITY fundraising program raising $27,983.00, the 13th Annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient and Caregiver Symposium in Boston, held in partnership with top academic Boston medical centers, provided essential resources for those affected by ocular melanoma (OM The #EyeGetDilated campaign and initiatives with Revo raised awareness about early detection Our Ask the Expert webinar focused on uveal melanoma, screening and treatment options. We also saw strong participation in our support groups, creating a meaningful space for connection. Lastly, the 13th Annual CURE OM Global Science Meeting and the publication of our latest scientific findings in Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research marked exciting milestones in advancing OM research.
If you have questions about OM or need assistance finding resources and support, please contact us at cureom@melanoma.org and be sure to engage with us on social media on Facebook and X. By building a community that offers support, resources and opportunities for meaningful learning and connection we can foster a network of growth and engagement.
Please read below for more information on the accomplishments and ways to get involved!
None of this would have been possible without your support. We look forward to even greater things in 2025!
Warm regards,
Ryann Daniels, MSSA, LISW
Education Program Coordinator, Rare Melanoma Subtypes
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| | Overview of Accomplishments in 2024
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Photo: Your Next Step is the Cure 5K
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In 2024, the CommUNITY Fundraising program made an incredible impact, raising $27,983 for CURE OM! A huge part of that number was, Your Next Step is the Cure 5K raised an impressive total of $16,440. You can be part of this amazing effort in the new year by starting your own fundraiser. Ready to make a difference? Host your own CommUNITY Fundraiser and help support the fight against melanoma. Contact us at volunteer@melanoma.org to learn more and get started!
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13th Annual CURE OM Global Science Meeting |
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Photo: 2024 CURE OM Global Science Meeting
CURE OM advanced ocular melanoma (OM) research through its 13th Annual Global Science Meeting on October 9th, 2024, held in conjunction with the Society for Melanoma Research Congress (SMR). This meeting brought together OM researchers, clinicians, patients, caregivers and industry partners to discuss key advancements and collaborative efforts aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Topics covered included new research targets, adjuvant therapies, liver-directed treatments and cell therapies. The meeting highlighted the progress in OM research while emphasizing the need for continued collaboration, data sharing and addressing access barriers to further advancements in the field.
To learn more about the key topics discussed, read the CURE OM Global Science Meeting Blog below.
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CURE OM's Latest Scientific Publication Photo: 2023 CURE OM Global Science Meeting
The report from the 2023 CURE OM Global Science Meeting, held in Philadelphia, was published on October 9th, 2024, in Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research. It highlights advancements in ocular melanoma (OM) research, treatment strategies and the importance of patient advocacy. The meeting fostered collaboration among researchers, clinicians and patients, covering key topics like genetics, therapies and clinical trials.
Dr. Rino S. Seedor, medical oncologist from Jefferson Health and a co-author of the publication, emphasized the value of the meeting in advancing uveal melanoma treatment and fostering multi-institutional collaboration.
To read the article, click below. |
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| 13th Annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium |
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Photo: 13th Annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium
From May 3rd to 5th, the MRF's CURE OM initiative hosted the 13th annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient and Caregiver Symposium in Boston, in partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mass Eye and Ear and Massachusetts General Cancer Center. This event, designed by and for patients and caregivers, brought together 42 in-person attendees and 38 virtual participants to collaborate with healthcare professionals, researchers and industry sponsors. The symposium focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of ocular melanoma.
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| Participate in the VISION Platform Today!
The Virtual Information System to Improve Outcomes and Networks (VISION) Platform was developed in close collaboration with patients, researchers and clinicians to create a central place for the OM community to come together, support one another and share their knowledge and experience to advance research. We believe you’ll find the new enhanced design and features both intuitive and inspiring.
Discover the power of community with the VISION Platform! Specifically designed for the global OM community, our platform offers a private and secure discussion forum where patients and loved ones can connect and support each other. Join us today! Click below to join our Vision Registry and be a part of a network dedicated to making a difference!
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| #EyeGetDilated and Revo Partnership
Photo: Jon Davis, Allison Dashow and Cindy Schulz
The collaboration, featuring Revo’s sun protective eyewear, took place both in store and online during November. All proceeds from this partnership went to the Melanoma Research Foundation to support its mission of raising awareness and funding research for ocular melanoma.
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| Advocacy Days - Washington, DC | March 2 - 4
Join melanoma patients, caregivers, and advocates from across the country to learn about issues facing the melanoma community, our community’s key legislative priorities and then share your story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Register now to join us in our nation's capital to help advocate for issues impacting the OM community!
Please contact advocacy@melanoma.org for more information and to access the scholarship application. |
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| Grant Reviewer Applications
Since 2019, the MRF has incorporated a patient-centric approach into the grant review process. Our patient review panel is made up of melanoma patients, caregivers, friends and family, with or without formal scientific training. In addition to ensuring that the melanoma patient’s point of view is critically represented during the grant proposal process, this program also increases the pool of skilled melanoma patient representatives to participate in other scientific advisory committees at cancer centers or various drug development stakeholders such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Department of Defense (DoD), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and partner organizations in the biotech/pharmaceutical field. Please submit your contact information here or email advocacy@melanoma.org with questions about this program or any of our scientific initiatives. |
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| Photo: 13th Annual Eyes on a Cure: Patient & Caregiver Symposium
SAVE THE DATE! 14th Annual CURE OM Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium
Location: Cleveland, OH, in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute
Registration: Look out for an email with registration details at the end of January.
Join us for an engaging symposium featuring:
The Melanoma Research Foundation is pleased to provide a limited number of travel scholarships to CURE OM Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium attendees who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Registration opens at the end of January and is required for an application to be considered. Scholarship deadline is March 28th! If approved, awardees will receive up to $500 for reimbursement of economy transportation (airfare, train, mileage, tolls, etc.). The MRF does not provide reimbursement for non-economy transportation. The MRF will provide hotel accommodation for attendees within a room block at the symposium venue. For dates outside of the symposium, hotel accommodation is the responsibility of the awardee.
Please note, meals and incidentals, including but not limited to the following, do not qualify for reimbursement: food, beverages, alcohol, wi-fi, entertainment (including in-room entertainment such as movies, mini-bar, etc.).
Reimbursement for travel expenses is only available following participation in the symposium.
Stay tuned for more details!
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| Miles for Melanoma 5K
This year, our Miles for Melanoma 5K program saw incredible support from the ocular melanoma (OM) community, with over 15 OM-specific teams coming together to raise an impressive $57,000+ for OM research, education and advocacy. Your dedication is driving meaningful change—thank you for making this possible!
Up next, we’re heading to Miami for our Miles for Melanoma 5K on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Now is the perfect time to create your own ocular melanoma team and join us in making an even bigger impact for the OM community. Together, we can continue to raise awareness, fund critical research and support those affected by OM.
Sign up today to be part of this incredible event and view our tentative 2025 schedule here.
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Support Groups: A Space for Connection
We invite you to participate in our upcoming CURE OM online support groups, which take place monthly on the first Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST and on the fourth Thursday from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM EST, specifically for patients and caregivers. These monthly groups provide a supportive environment to discuss diagnosis, treatment, medical updates, peer questions, reflections and more. CURE OM online support groups offer a safe space for OM patients to connect and share their experiences. For more information or to join a group, please reach out to education@melanoma.org.
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Melanoma Research Foundation © 2025 All rights reserved.
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