Congratulations to our Newest Grant Recipients!

From the desk of MRF CEO Kyleigh LiPira: 

We are thrilled to announce that the Foundation will award $1.2 million in peer-reviewed research grants to help advance melanoma research and improve the treatment options available to melanoma patients and their loved ones. Eight Career Development and Established Investigator Awards will support innovative research focused on immunotherapy resistance, the treatment of melanoma brain metastases patients, understanding uveal melanoma metastasis and more. Three recipients received grants funded entirely by the generosity of donors including: Lilit Karapetyan, MD of Moffitt Cancer Center funded by the Silverstein Family Research Grant Challenge for Women in Science and matched by the 3rd Annual #GetNakedJax event; Joshua Veatch, MD, PhD of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center funded by the Cavan Family Foundation; and Kari Kendra, MD, PhD of the Ohio State University funded in honor of Cameron Reese Ward. To-date the MRF has funded over $24.4 million in research grants which has led to patents, new clinical trials and most importantly FDA approvals. To learn more about each research project, visit the funded research page.

In addition to funding innovative new research poised to benefit the melanoma community, we are excited to announce the launch of the MRF Mucosal Melanoma Translational Working Group. As we strive to make research advancements, identify new treatment options and support this rare melanoma community, we are hopeful that this Working Group will encourage collaboration amongst researchers and help pave the way for tremendous progress for the mucosal melanoma community. Interested researchers are encouraged to email research@melanoma.org for more information. 

The MRF remains committed to supporting researchers at all stages of their scientific careers and advancing the most promising scientific pursuits to develop more effective treatments, improve patient outcomes and, one day, find a cure for melanoma. This work is only possible because of the incredible generosity of our community - thank you! 

With gratitude,

Educational Programs and Resources 

Ask the Expert

We hosted two exciting Ask the Expert webinars in August and September. On Tuesday, August 29, we had an informative discussion on an emerging new tool that assists with monitoring melanoma featuring Dr. Alan Tan, Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program & Co-Lead of the Precision Medicine Program at the Rush University Medical Center. More recently, on September 19, we held a special Ask the Expert: Hispanic Heritage Month edition where Dr. Correa-Selm, Associate Professor of the Department of Dermatology at Morsani School of Medicine in the University of Florida and melanoma survivor and advocate, Jose Gonzalez. If you were unable to join the live webinar, or want to revisit the presentation, the recording is now available on the MRF YouTube channel. 

Thank you to Natera for sponsoring our August webinar and Eisai for sponsoring our September webinar. 

Save the date for two upcoming webinars!

Tuesday, October 3 7-8pm ET
Newly Approved Liver Directed Treatment for Uveal Melanoma
Featuring Dr. Marlana Orloff from Thomas Jefferson University and Dr. Jonathan Zagar from Moffit Cancer Center. Register Today!

Tuesday, October 17 7-8pm ET
Current Treatments and the Future Research for Mucosal Melanoma
Featuring Dr. Carvajal and Dr. Shoushtari and patient Mary Harper - generously sponsored by Alkermes. Registration coming soon!

Pediatric Melanoma Awareness Month

During September, we honored pediatric and AYA melanoma communities through our pediatric melanoma awareness month campaign SPOT-ing The Difference. All month, we elevated awareness of pediatric melanoma through patient testimonials, provided sun safe resources including our SunAWARE Babyproofing pamphlet and SunAWARE Youth Prevention infographic to help protect your children and raised critcial funds towards pediatric melanoma research and advocacy. 

Hispanic Heritage Month

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) and beyond, the MRF is committed to amplifying Hispanic melanoma patient journeys and providing resources to help this community remain sun safe. All month, we continue to encourage everyone to protect their skin and receive an annual dermatological skin-check, no matter the skin type. Access helpful educational resources both in English and Spanish at www.ustedymelanoma.com.

Patient & Caregiver Symposia Series 

The next in-person and virtual cutaneous melanoma patient symposium will be hosted in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine on Saturday, October 28. Additional information including a draft agenda is included here; mark your calendars today and plan to join us for an informative symposium in October. Recordings from our previous patient symposia series are available to view on the MRF YouTube page. 

12th Annual Denver Gala Recap

On September 21, the melanoma community gathered in Denver, CO to celebrate its 12th Annual Gala. Around 300 people were able to hear the amazing stories of Crystal Crowley, Mary Harty-Prather and Keith Woolley. We presented each with Courage Awards as they shared their impactful patient journeys and highlighted the need for melanoma prevention and continued funding for research that will lead to a cure. Click here to watch the video shown at the Gala highlighting each of their stories. We were also thrilled to honor Zeina Dajani, MD, Denver Skin Doctors with the Excellence in Prevention Award, and Stacey Sepp, Survivor and Advocate with the Advocate Award.

Check out this video from MRF's National Prevention Partner, Neutrogena, featuring Neutrogena Ambassador, Jennifer Garner, as she welcomed our attendees to the Denver Gala. 

If you are still interested in making a donation, click here.