The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA)
Leading the Way to a Cure
The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) is the largest non-profit funder of melanoma research. Since its founding in 2007, MRA has committed $143 million in funding to advance our understanding of this disease. MRA funds projects in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, with the majority of funding allocated for melanoma treatment.
MRA Mission
The mission of the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) is to end suffering and death due to melanoma by collaborating with all stakeholders to accelerate powerful research, advance cures for all patients, and prevent more melanomas.
MRA's Founding
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and it is one of the cancers whose incidence is increasing fastest in this country. In 2007, melanoma touched the lives of Debra and Leon Black when Debra was diagnosed with the disease. With melanoma incidence rising dramatically and survival for those with advanced disease remaining static at less than 15 percent, the Blacks formed the Melanoma Research Alliance under the auspices of the Milken Institute.
Thanks to the Blacks' generous ongoing support of all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of every donation to MRA goes directly to melanoma research. MRA is ranked among the top five grant-giving disease foundations by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN).
Our ultimate goal is to find a cure by funding the most promising melanoma research worldwide that will accelerate progress and improve outcomes for patients and all who are at risk.
MRA Funding
MRA is the largest non-profit funder of melanoma research. MRA-supported projects are vetted by a world-class Grant Review Committee. To date, MRA has awarded $143 million to 415 research programs to make transforming advances in the prevention, diagnosis and staging, and treatment of melanoma, including research in biological causes of carcinogenesis, skin screening, biomarkers, imaging, immunotherapy, molecularly targeted therapy, and combination therapy.
Collaboration
MRA’s ability to fund wide-ranging research in melanoma is amplified by unique multi-faceted collaborations and partnerships with individuals, private foundations, and corporations. In fact, collaboration is at MRA's core—from the team approaches to research that we fund, to the way we find partners who can help us realize our vision.
Our allies are also focused on increasing public knowledge about the seriousness of melanoma and ways to reduce risk and improve early detection. MRA is pleased to have the generous support of a growing list of corporate allies in the fight against melanoma to amplify our message and garner the resources necessary to advance our mission.
Through a unique partnership with Bruce Springsteen and the Danny Fund, MRA has been engaged in a series of public awareness initiatives urging people to protect themselves from the sun's damaging rays, avoid indoor tanning, and be aware of changes in their skin. Together with our allies and your support, we are working toward the day when no one will suffer or die from melanoma.
Learn More about MRA's Research.
Thanks to the generous support of its founders, MRA applies 100% of all donations to melanoma research. MRA is a GuideStar Exchange Platinum Participant and is ranked among the top five grant-giving disease foundations by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN).
