Dear CURE OM Community, 

Join us for the 15th Annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium, taking place April 17–19, 2026, in Miami, Florida. 

Held in partnership with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, this three-day event brings together patients, caregivers and leading experts for sessions focused on primary and metastatic ocular melanoma, supportive care and psychosocial wellbeing, along with plenty of opportunities for community connection and fun. 

We hope to see you in Miami for this inspiring weekend dedicated to education, support and community!

The 2026 Eyes on a Cure symposium is truly a collaborative effort. Our Planning Committee plays an essential role in shaping the agenda, elevating patient and caregiver voices and ensuring this event is created with and for the ocular melanoma community. We are incredibly grateful for their time, insight and dedication in helping bring this meaningful weekend to life. 

Our Planning Committee members are all individuals personally impacted by ocular melanoma, including patients and caregivers who generously share their lived experiences to strengthen this program and support others. 

Planning Committee Members  
Cindy Schulz 
Jon Davis 
Allie Dashow 
Ed Sandell 
Len Wilensky (caregiver) 
Harold Huffaker 

"Liz and I attended our first CURE OM symposium in 2024 in Boston. We were amazed at the love and support we received and all the wonderful people we encountered. We met patients, caregivers, doctors and researchers. Most importantly we learned that rare as this disease is, we are not alone and that others share our struggles.” - Len Wilensky 

New Research Focused on Earlier Detection 
Researchers at Stanford are developing a new artificial intelligence–based tool designed to help eye doctors identify concerning eye lesions earlier, particularly in community and general eye clinics. The goal is to improve early detection of ocular melanoma and ensure patients are referred to specialists more quickly, which could support earlier diagnosis and care for more people. To learn more, click here.  

Improved Risk Prediction with New Study 
A recent multicenter study found that combining the DecisionDx-UM prognostic test with PRAME gene expression data provides more accurate predictions of metastatic risk and survival outcomes for uveal melanoma than traditional gene mutation analysis alone. This research offers patients and care teams more precise insights into individual tumor behavior, helping guide surveillance decisions and support more informed conversations about care. To learn more, click here. 

Aura Biosciences Expands Evidence with New Patient-Reported Outcome Study in Eye Cancer 

Aura Biosciences recently announced new data from a patient-reported outcome study connected to its ongoing Phase 3 CoMpass clinical trial for early-stage choroidal (uveal) melanoma. The study focuses on understanding how patients feel and function during treatment, including quality of life and daily activities, in addition to traditional clinical outcomes like tumor control. These insights may help researchers better understand the real-world impact of emerging therapies for ocular melanoma. To learn more, click here.

Animated Patient Video: Understanding Metastatic Uveal Melanoma 
We’re excited to share a new animated patient video that breaks down metastatic uveal melanoma in an easy-to-understand way. The video explains how uveal melanoma can spread beyond the eye, why follow-up imaging and monitoring are important and the treatment options and supportive resources available to patients and caregivers as they navigate care choices.  

Watch the animation here. 

The Questions to Ask Your Doctor Caregiver Guide is designed for the ocular melanoma community and helps caregivers prepare for appointments with clear, practical questions about treatment, monitoring and care planning, while also offering guidance on caring for themselves along the way.  

Click below to watch the full webinars and stay informed on the latest updates in OM care. Each session features expert insights and practical takeaways to help patients, caregivers and advocates better understand the evolving treatment landscape of ocular melanoma. 

December – Ask the Expert: Navigating Early Detection and Management in Ocular Melanoma 

Focused on recognizing early warning signs, understanding diagnosis and navigating management options in ocular melanoma. Dr. Mandeep Sagoo, a leading expert in ocular oncology, reviewed how early detection supports timely and effective care, alongside patient speaker Kristin Lindsey, who shared her experience with early diagnosis, adapting to vision changes and using photography as a source of strength and connection. 
Watch the full webinar here. 

March – Ask the Expert: What’s New in Primary Ocular Melanoma Treatment and Clinical Trials 
Focused on the latest advancements in primary OM treatment and clinical trials. Dr. Arun Singh, Director of the Department of Ophthalmic Oncology at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, discussed several promising treatments currently under investigation. 
Watch the full webinar here. 

July – Ask the Experts: Focusing on the Liver: Treatment Approaches in Metastatic Ocular Melanoma 
When uveal melanoma spreads, it most often affects the liver. This session explored how doctors are targeting the liver with specialized treatments and what new options are being developed to treat the whole body. The discussion also covered the first FDA-approved therapy, Tebentafusp, for this rare cancer and what’s on the horizon in clinical trials. 
Presented by Vincent T. Ma, MD (University of Wisconsin, Madison) and Patient Advocate Paul Lynch. 
Watch the full webinar here.  

July – Ask the Expert: 2025 ASCO Highlights for the Uveal Melanoma Community 
Dr. Inderjit Mehmi, a leading medical oncologist specializing in melanoma, broke down key takeaways from the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting- an international oncology meeting held each year in Chicago. The session highlighted the latest research, treatment advances and clinical trial updates relevant to the uveal melanoma community. Watch the full webinar here.  

We invite you to participate in our upcoming CURE OM online support groups, which take place monthly: 

This group is offered in partnership with the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson and is facilitated by Molly Vocino, MSW, LCSW, a licensed clinical oncology social worker. The group’s discussion centers on the metastatic ocular melanoma experience. If you’ve attended previously, we warmly encourage you to continue joining. 

These groups are designed to foster emotional support, shared understanding and connection. Whether you're newly navigating an ocular melanoma diagnosis or have been living with it for years, this is a space to reflect, express feelings, explore coping strategies and find comfort in community. 

For more information and to register, please reach out to cureom@melanoma.org. 

The Miles for Melanoma 5K season has officially wrapped and you can relive the most powerful moments in our new season recap video. From finish lines to fundraising milestones, this year’s events showcased the strength and heart of our community. 

Our final races delivered meaningful impact for the ocular melanoma community, with OM teams and participants raising critical funds for research and patient support while honoring loved ones, survivors and fighters who inspire this movement every day. 

In just the final three months of the season, supporters stepped up in inspiring ways — Team Your Next Step is the Cure raised more than $15,400 at the first Tampa Bay race; in Miami, individual participant Olivia Bardinelli raised over $250 for ocular melanoma; and in Orange County, Team Relentless HOPE raised more than $1,000. Together, these efforts show how every fundraiser — big or small — moves the mission forward. 

Missed this season? The 2026 series launches in May, and registration is already open for our first races in Washington, DC (May 9) and New England, MA (May 16). Start your team, join the OM community and make every mile count toward a cure. Visit our homepage to find a 5K near you.