Category: Melanoma Stories
What Comes Next? The New Normal After Melanoma
7 July 2019 In Melanoma Stories
Although many patients and their loved ones would like to put melanoma behind them, it tends to be a lifetime journey. From life- long prevention concerns, fear of recurrence, feelings of isolation, and survivor’s guilt - get insight into the ‘new normal’ after melanoma.
Mohs Surgery for Melanoma In Situ – Where We Stand
10 June 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Science
While effective and time tested, Wide Local Excision can cause significant scarring and even loss of function when performed in delicate areas. For non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, an alternative ‘tissue-sparing’ procedure is frequently performed called Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Can Mohs Surgery be safely used in melanoma in situ?
Fighting For Her Life with a Clinical trial
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 7 June 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
Colleen Wittoesch was a regular volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She came to the hospital every week to help out and spend time with patients and families in the melanoma clinic for going on seven years. Little did she know that in 2016 she too would walk through the clinic doors as a patient.
Highlights from the 2019 Scientific Retreat
30 May 2019 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Over the course of three days, MRA convened over 300 people from across the melanoma research community: patients, doctors, researchers, industry, and government. Participants discussed everything from new treatment approaches such as RNA-based vaccines, strategies to fight back against treatment resistance, and hurdles to testing neo-adjuvant therapies in melanoma.
Police Lieutenant Tackles Melanoma in Phoenix
13 May 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention
After being diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, Chris Eyrich is committed to raising awareness about melanoma. He works to raise awareness of the unique occupational hazards faced by people who work primarily outdoors, such as police officers and other public servants.
How Jaqueline’s Promise and Persistence Paid Off
5 March 2019 In Melanoma Stories
Melanoma wasn't supposed to happen to Jacqueline. Melanoma was supposed to be a disease that older, white women got, not 21-year-old African Americans. "People often think having more melanin makes them from developing melanoma. But they’re wrong,” Jacqueline says.
Doing Good in Rebecca's Name
7 February 2019 In Melanoma Stories
It was March of 2005 when Christine Garrison’s life changed forever. She received the phone call that no mother ever wants to receive. Her daughter Rebecca’s suspicious mole was, in fact, Stage 3 melanoma.
When Are Melanoma Patients Finished with Immunotherapy?
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 23 January 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
For melanoma patients, deciding when to discontinue treatment is a difficult decision. should the general ‘rule of thumb’ of treating patients with advanced disease until progression still apply? According to Dr. Jeffrey Weber and the data he presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress late last year, the answer is maybe not.
From Health Scare to Transformative Change
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 16 January 2019 In Melanoma Stories
Debra Black founded the Melanoma Research Alliance in 2007 after her own diagnosis with Stage II disease earlier that year. Since then, MRA has become the largest, non-profit funder of melanoma research worldwide.
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.