Category: Melanoma Stories
Melanoma Free & Living Scan-to-Scan
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 4 March 2022 In Melanoma Stories
In 2007, while staining her deck at home, Debra Likes – who goes by Debbie – decided she’d had enough and would finally see her primary care doctor. She had been ignoring a mole on her left calf for more than a year as she watched it slowly transform from a round...
7200 Miles for 7200 Lives Lost: Cycling and Community Building After a Melanoma Diagnosis
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 23 February 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Last year in the US, there were an estimated 7,180 deaths from melanoma. For melanoma patient and competitive cyclist Bill Evans, this number is on his mind every single day. Two years into his own journey with advanced melanoma, Bill is raising awareness and funds for melanoma research through cycling, with a goal of completing one mile for every life lost to the disease over the course of a year.
Preventing Melanoma Among Hispanic Americans
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 22 February 2022 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Science
Dr. Costello’s online platform aims to teach participants about the risk factors for melanoma, what it looks like, and how they can screen themselves for concerning lesions. Costello’s program launched in February, 2022; and he hopes to get 30,000 people to participate in the 40-minute curriculum by the end of May 2022.
From Personal Loss to Professional Service
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 25 January 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Since 2009, O’Melveny & Myers (OMM), an internationally recognized law firm founded in 1885, has served as pro bono counsel for the Melanoma Research Alliance. Over the last decade, the firm has advised MRA leadership and represented the organization in many areas, including grant agreements, HR policies, tax issues, intellectual...
Championing Clinical Trials
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 2 January 2022 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
Too often, the first time someone is exposed to clinical trials is when they've been diagnosed with a serious, life threatening illness. Learn how Mary Elizabeth partnered with her doctor Jedd Wolchok to take back control from melanoma.
One Family, One Community, One Goal: Cure Melanoma
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 27 October 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Melanoma is personal for Kathy Mason, and positivity is a way of life since her son Ryan’s Stage 3 melanoma diagnosis at only 24-years old.
Challenge Accepted: MRA 2020 - 2021 Annual Report
19 October 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, News, Policy, Prevention, Science, Treatment
This was a year like no other. COVID-19 presented new challenges that required new ways of thinking. At MRA, confronting challenges is part of our DNA. We never stop challenging ourselves, no matter the odds or obstacles, in pursuit of conquering melanoma and saving lives.
Melanoma Isn't Just Another Skin Cancer
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 5 October 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Too many people think that melanoma is just another skin cancer – and in 2005, Daisy Helman was one of them. She had just learned that a lump her father noticed on his arm was actually melanoma. “I just assumed that this wasn’t a big deal. Just cut it out – dad will be fine. Looking back, I was so wrong.”
Asking the Tough Questions: Perspectives on Being a Caregiver, Self Care, & Mucosal Melanoma
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 18 September 2021 In Melanoma Stories
“Being a caregiver can be the hardest job,” says Patricia Janiak. “Your loved one might be the one going through this – but we’re the ones who have to put on our brave face while always being a step ahead. We’re the ones who call the doctors, ask the tough questions, and when needed, we push the envelope.”
Mark, Stage 4 Melanoma, & a Personalized Vaccine Clinical Trial
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 6 September 2021 In Melanoma Stories
The melanoma treatment landscape had dramatically changed in the time since Mark was first diagnosed with melanoma. New options had earned FDA approval and many other approaches were actively being tested in clinical trials. Hear Mark's story with a personalized vaccine made to help train his immune system to fight melanoma cells.