The MRF is committed to: 

Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer claiming the lives of nearly 8,430 Americans each year, and its incidence is rising. But with organizations like the MRF leading the fight, there is hope — backed by science, community and an unwavering commitment to saving lives. 

How can you help? Consider supporting the MRF whether by making a tax-deductible donation, volunteering or simply spreading the word, your support fuels progress.

As National Make-a-Will Month comes to a close, we hope you take a moment to consider supporting the MRF’s critical mission and efforts to eradicate all forms of melanoma in your estate plans. Creating a will may feel daunting, but it’s one of the most meaningful ways to protect the people and causes you care about most. A will is more than just a document — it’s a powerful act of love to create a legacy that guarantees your wishes are honored. 

Many generous supporters have already included the MRF in their estate plans, fueling groundbreaking research, providing critical patient resources and driving progress toward a cure. By doing the same, you can help sustain our fight against melanoma. 

Among those who have pledged to support innovation and a dedication to a world without melanoma are Rob and Sandra Abbott, who shared this deeply personal reflection: 

“The unforeseen loss of our son, Etai, at just 33, to an aggressive form of metastatic melanoma — despite pursuing every available treatment — inspired us to include the MRF in our estate plans. We hope our gift will contribute to a cure and spare another family the heartbreak of losing a loved one far too soon. For us, it’s not about how he passed — it’s about how he lived.” 

The Abbott's meaningful gift will make a lasting difference — and yours can, too. To make the process easier, the MRF has partnered with FreeWill, a free and trusted resource that helps you create a legally valid will in just 20 minutes. Learn more here, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dave Wiemer, Director of Philanthropy at dwiemer@melanoma.org. 

September is childhood cancer awareness month and at the MRF we aim to raise awareness and provide resources for the pediatric and AYA melanoma community through our #SpotTheDog campaign. During our pediatric/AYA melanoma month campaign, we invite you to join the next installment of our Ask the Expert webinar series entitled, “Pediatric Melanoma – Early Detection, Unique Presentations & Prevention”. This webinar will be held on Thursday, September 25 from 7:00-8:00pm ET with Dr. Maria Buethe, Division Chief of Dermatology at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Director of Pediatric Dermatology at the University of California, Irvine.

The session will uncover how melanoma can present in children and teens, which symptoms warrant further evaluation and practical steps families and clinicians can take to support early detection and prevention.

The MRF’s CURE OM initiative will be attending and sharing resources at the upcoming Fred Hutch Cancer Center Ocular Melanoma Patient and Caregiver Education Symposium on Saturday, September 6 from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm PT, offered both online and in person.

This free educational event will feature leading ocular melanoma experts to discuss diagnosis, treatment options, advancements in surgical and radiation oncology, immunotherapies, research updates and supportive care resources for OM patients and caregivers.

We’re officially less than ONE MONTH away from the 14th Annual Denver Gala on Thursday, September 18 at our new location, Asterisk Denver! This year’s Gala will spotlight remarkable leaders and heroes in the melanoma community. Iovance Biotherapeutics will be honored with the Corporate Leadership Award for their groundbreaking work in melanoma treatment and research. The MRF will also recognize Lori A. Crane, PhD, MPH with the Excellence in Prevention Award for her unwavering commitment to melanoma prevention. In addition, we will celebrate the strength and courage of Jennifer Melahn, Clarke Octigan and Terry Tucker, and honor Martin McCarter, MD with the Humanitarian Award for his extraordinary dedication to patient care, cutting-edge research and scientific leadership. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring a cocktail reception, open bar, gourmet dinner and an inspiring awards program that shines a light on the progress and resilience of our melanoma community.

Don’t wait, the 24th Annual New York Gala is almost here! On Thursday, October 30, join us for an unforgettable evening featuring cocktails, gourmet dining, an exciting auction and an inspiring awards program — all supporting the fight against melanoma. This year’s event will be emceed by Jason Chambers, Superyacht Captain, TV personality, melanoma patient and advocate, making it a night you won’t want to miss. Tickets are nearly sold out and sponsorship opportunities are closing soon. Secure your place today to stand with the melanoma community and help fund life-saving research and patient support. 

We’re nearly halfway through the Miles for Melanoma 5K season, and August proved to be an unforgettable month. Across Cleveland, Twin Cities and Philadelphia, our communities came together in powerful ways — and each event surpassed its fundraising goal. Cleveland raised over $163,600, Twin Cities brought in more than $60,600 and Philadelphia rallied to raise over $137,000. These milestones not only celebrate the strength of our melanoma community but also fuel critical research, patient support and advocacy efforts. To relive the excitement, check out our Cleveland highlight video here and watch as Philadelphia was featured on CBS!

Get ready — our fall Miles for Melanoma 5Ks are right around the corner! We’ll be hitting the pavement in New York (Sept 13), New Jersey (Sept 21), Seattle (Oct 4), Los Angeles (Oct 5), San Diego (Oct 18), Atlanta (Nov 2) and San Francisco (Nov 16). Don’t miss your chance to be part of these inspiring events that unite patients, survivors, caregivers and supporters in the fight against melanoma. Register today, rally your team and take advantage of exciting fundraising incentives that make every step count. Together, we can move closer to a future without melanoma.

Advocacy Days will return to Washington, DC on March 1–3. This impactful event brings together melanoma patients, caregivers, advocates and supporters from across the country to unite as one voice on Capitol Hill. By sharing personal stories and meeting directly with lawmakers, our advocates help advance critical policies that support melanoma research, prevention and access to care. 

Registration will open soon! Sign up here to be the first to hear about how you can be part of this powerful movement for change.