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| | Advancing Treatment Options to Foster Progress This month, we are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Team Award as principal investigator (PI) Ravi Amaravadi, MD from the University of Pennsylvania and CO-PIs Michael Mitchelle, PhD; Drew Weissman, MD, PhD (Nobel Prize laureate); and Vaibhav Jain, PhD for their work entitled, “RNA-LNP Therapeutics for Resistant Melanoma”. The grants were funded through the MRF’s Breakthrough Consortium (MRFBC). The MRFBC is a national network of 30 centers of excellence in melanoma that collaborate to accelerate the research and development of the most promising therapies in melanoma treatment in order to deliver curative options to patients.
While targeted therapies like BRAF inhibitors have provided hope for many with melanoma mutations, some mutations become resistant to these treatments. The team’s work aims to address this issue by developing a new approach using RNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver targeted treatments directly to melanoma cells.
The MRF is proud to offer this grant to accelerate and support the research and development of the most promising therapies in melanoma treatment to ultimately provide more hope for countless patients.
We are also excited to share an exciting research update! Recently, 2023 Medical Student Awardee Moriah Arnold, MD, PhD candidate published her work in Science Advances. A protein associated with Parkinson’s disease, called alpha-synuclein, also plays a key role in driving melanoma. Dr. Arnold’s study shows that alpha-synuclein functions differently depending on the cell type: in neurons, its loss from the nucleus leads to cell death in Parkinson’s, while in melanoma cells, its excess activity in the nucleus helps cancer cells survive and proliferate. These findings open new paths for developing drugs that target alpha-synuclein to potentially treat both diseases.
You can make a tax-deductible donation to support melanoma research advancements here. |
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Join us for an engaging “Ask the Expert” session where our panel of experts will discuss melanoma risk factors, the importance of early detection through screening and essential sun safety practices to protect your skin, especially during Melanoma Awareness Month.
Highlights from Fred Hutch and UNC Patient & Caregiver Symposia
Earlier this month, the MRF hosted two successful Patient & Caregiver Symposia at Fred Hutch and UNC Lineberger, bringing together leading experts to share the latest advances in melanoma treatment and providing patients and caregivers the opportunity to connect, share their stories and build a supportive community.
View photos from the Fred Hutch Northwest Melanoma Symposium: Science to Survivorship here and watch a quick video recap from the UNC Lineberger Patient and Caregiver Symposium here.
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The Together Against Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposia Series continues next month in collaboration with The Ohio State University and Mayo Clinic!
Join us in person or virtually for upcoming patient events in Columbus, Ohio and Jacksonville, Florida. Designed to inform and empower those impacted by melanoma, each symposium offers the opportunity to hear from leading experts, connect with others and find meaningful support!
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| Shop in Support of Melanoma Awareness Month |
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This upcoming Melanoma Awareness Month, we’re incredibly grateful to our Prevention & Awareness Campaign partners—EltaMD, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Natera, Neutrogena and Coola—as well as the thousands of passionate individuals raising awareness and funds in their communities. We’re also proud to spotlight our amazing cause marketing partners who are giving back in meaningful ways throughout May and beyond. Their support helps fuel life-saving research, education and advocacy efforts.
Here's how you can shop with purpose and join the movement:
May Givebacks
Year-Round Givebacks
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| Miles for Melanoma Team Highlight
Emily Walsh from Team Gail Force Shares Why Her Family Participates in the New England Miles for Melanoma 5K
Join us on Saturday, May 10 for the highly anticipated New England Miles for Melanoma 5K at the Franklin Park Zoo. Emily Walsh from Team Gail Force shares why she and her family participates:
“I participate in the Miles for Melanoma 5K series for my mom, Gail Welsh, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Advanced Melanoma in Spring of 2023. Quote from Gail: “The MRF and especially the 5k are an important part of the journey to beat this disease because they bring a sense of community and support to a very lonely process. Illness is such a different situation for every Melanoma patient and it’s treatment and side effects are very isolating. We are grateful for all the research and knowledge the foundation shares and are proud to help fund more of it with the race in May!”
If you are interested in making a donation to their team, click here! |
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Kicking off our Miles for Melanoma Season!
We’re just days away from kicking off our Miles for Melanoma 5K event season—and we can’t wait to see you on the starting line! Join us this weekend in Washington, DC at Yards Park on May 3 as we launch a powerful season of community, hope and progress. Following this weekend's festivities, registration is open for upcoming events in New England, MA (May 10), Denver, CO (June 14) and Chicago, IL (July 20). Don’t miss our 2024 Miles for Melanoma Recap Video—celebrating last year’s incredible impact and giving you all the inspiration you need to build your team and register early. Click below to explore all upcoming events, start your team’s recruitment and help us #FundTheFuture!
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| Experience the Impact – Purchase Your Gala Ticket Today! |
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Join us for two unforgettable evenings dedicated to celebrating progress, honoring community champions and advancing the mission to end melanoma. The 14th Annual Denver Gala will take place on Thursday, September 18 at Asterisk Denver. Then, on Thursday, October 30, we’ll gather once again for the 24th Annual New York Gala at Cipriani Broadway, a night that continues to inspire and unite supporters from across the region. Both events will feature an elegant cocktail reception, open bar, gourmet dinner and a moving awards ceremony honoring individuals who are making a real difference in the fight against melanoma. These galas are not just celebrations—they are vital opportunities to raise critical funds for research, education and advocacy. Don’t miss out on these impactful evenings—purchase your ticket or sponsorship today and help us fuel the path to a cure.
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| CommUNITY Fundraising SPOTlight |
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We have three amazing CommUNITY Fundraisers coming up—and we’d love for you to join the fight against melanoma. Check out the events happening this month:
· May 3: Mela-No-More Golf Tournament | Leesburg, FL
· May 10: Stay Out Of The Sun Run | Rochester, MN
· May 17: Melanoma Clinic Walk | Orlando, FL
Looking to make an even bigger impact? Start your own CommUNITY Fundraiser! No matter your passion—sports, fitness, art or beyond—we’ll help you turn it into an exciting way to raise awareness and critical funds for melanoma research, education and advocacy. Our online fundraising toolkit gives you everything you need, from creative ideas and templates to expert tips for success. Let’s make a difference together!
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| | House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on OMUFA |
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On April 1, our Director of Advocacy, Kim Wezik, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee Program (OMUFA) reauthorization and streamlining the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) sunscreen filter approval process. In her remarks, she highlighted that the FDA’s reliance on animal testing and the maximum usage trial (MUsT) test has led to a stalemate as no new sunscreen filters have been approved in the United States since the 1990s. Skin cancer, including melanoma, is a largely preventable disease and sunscreen is a critical cancer prevention tool in that fight.
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