MRA Advisor & Grantee Dr. Allison Awarded Nobel Prize for Transforming Cancer Care
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 28 November 2018 In News, Science, Treatment
MRA Scientific Advisory Panel Member & Grantee Dr. Allison Awarded Nobel Prize for his pioneering research to harness the power of the immune system to attack cancer. His work in immunotherapy, which began in the 1990’s, was audacious at the time. It helped to mainstream an entirely new class of tools in the arsenal against cancer; joining the likes of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Dr. Marc Hurlbert Joins MRA as Chief Science Officer
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 20 November 2018 In Science
Dr. Marc Hurlbert has built his career advancing medical research in support of patients. Now, as of this month, he will translate his skills, relationships, and enthusiasm to achieving our mission of ending death and suffering due to melanoma as MRA’s Chief Science Officer.
When Astrophysics & Melanoma Collide
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 16 November 2018 In Science
Using lessons, processes, and tools from the field of astrophysics, Dr. Taube is studying melanoma in all new ways.
Connecting the Dots: MRA’s 2017-2018 Annual Report
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 30 October 2018 In Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Treatment
In our 2017/18 report, we are proud to showcase many key achievements from the past year. Check out the annual report to learn more about the research we’ve funded, the partnerships we’ve forged, the progress we’ve made and the donors who help to make it all possible.
Improving the Lives of Melanoma Survivors
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 15 October 2018 In Prevention, Science
Melanoma survivors are at a 9-fold increased risk of developing another melanoma. Unfortunately, 20% of survivors reported a sunburn in the past year and 10% intentionally went outside for a tan – both strong predictors of inappropriate sun exposure.
Health Literacy Month: How to Ask Your Doctor about Melanoma Clinical Trials
10 October 2018 In Allies & Partnerships, Treatment
If you’ve ever had a hard time understanding your doctor or following directions on a medicine bottle, you’re definitely not alone. Understanding health information is a challenge for at least 90 million Americans today. In honor of Health Literacy Month, we highlighted some of the ways patients can be feel empowered to ask questions and access better care.
Older Patients Do Better on Immunotherapy
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 8 October 2018 In Science, Treatment
In Dr. Weeraratna's study, older patients did better on immunotherapy than younger patients. This surprising result is the opposite of what was expected.
For Kimberly, Clinical Trials Were a Leap of Faith
1 October 2018 In Melanoma Stories
Kimberly was just 19-years-old when she noticed the black “freckle” on her foot. But it wasn’t until she was 22-years-old and pregnant with her first child that her “freckle” became a cause for concern.
Ipilimumab Cured Dan Engel He’s Committed to Paying it Forward
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 24 September 2018 In Melanoma Stories
Dan needed a miracle. At this point, he’d had six surgeries on his neck, endured radiation therapy, and been enrolled in five clinical trials. Dan’s miracle came in 2006 in the form of an experimental drug, ipilimumab or anti-CTLA4 antibody, that would later be named Yervoy. This drug would later become the first new FDA-approved melanoma treatment in 13 years.
Right Place, Right Time, Right Trial
10 September 2018 In Melanoma Stories, Treatment
Jonathan is cancer free because he was in the right place at the right time to be enrolled in a clinical trial. Read his story.