Melanoma Research Alliance

Today, we honor the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of President Jimmy Carter—a leader whose compassion, courage, and commitment to humanity have left an indelible mark on the world. President Carter was not only a global statesman and humanitarian but also a melanoma patient whose story underscores the transformative power of melanoma research. In 2015, he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma that had spread to his brain. Thanks to groundbreaking advancements in immunotherapy—made possible by melanoma research—President Carter experienced remission, exemplifying the life-saving potential of science. As a patient, President Carter became a powerful advocate for cancer research, raising awareness about the urgent need for innovation, collaboration, and funding. His journey inspired countless others facing similar battles and highlighted the profound impact of immunotherapy across all cancers. At the Melanoma Research Alliance, we remain committed to building on this progress to ensure that every patient has access to effective and transformative treatments. We are deeply grateful for President Carter's example as a patient advocate and his unwavering belief in the power of research to save lives.

Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season filled with love, hope, and giving! As we celebrate, let’s remember the strength of our community and the progress we’re making together in the fight against melanoma. Thank you for your continued support in advancing research and improving lives. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Melanoma Research Alliance! #HappyHolidays #MelanomaAwareness

Join our Melanoma Patient Exchange Forum on February 26th for a day of support, education, and connection! This free event is your chance to engage with experts and fellow patients who understand your journey. Don’t miss out, register today at curemelanoma.org/forum25 and take a step towards empowerment. #MelanomaAwareness

Yesterday, we had the honor of visiting the Miller family home to accept a generous contribution from the Tara Miller Foundation. Over the past decade, their unwavering support has fueled groundbreaking melanoma research, contributing over $2 million to MRA. This incredible partnership has funded: • 7 Young Investigator Awards, empowering early-career scientists to explore innovative ideas • Team Science Awards, driving multidisciplinary research on critical issues like brain metastases The Tara Miller Foundation's commitment aligns with our mission to fund crucial melanoma research and bring hope to patients. Thank you, Miller family and taramillerfoundation, for your dedication to advancing melanoma research and treatment. Your support is truly making a difference in the fight against this devastating disease. #MelanomaResearch #TaraMillerFoundation #FightingMelanoma

From our recent webinar, Dr. Evan Lipson shares essential questions every melanoma patient should ask after their diagnosis about testing and treatment options. To watch the full webinar visit: https://lnkd.in/g2MCix_c Empower yourself with knowledge and follow MRA to stay informed! #MelanomaAwareness

Join us as we power progress together in the fight against melanoma. All new gifts to MRA through December will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact! And as always, 100% of all donations to MRA go directly to our research program, with no admin, development, processing or staffing fees. Without you, melanoma research can't happen. Every donation - big or small - is delivering change in the lives of melanoma patients and their loved ones. Visit https://lnkd.in/dDBzP3ik to double your donation today. #GivingTuesday #melanoma #research

Leveraged Finance Fights Melanoma Expands to London! Each year since 2011, the most influential leaders in leveraged finance and private equity come together in New York for a cause that transcends business: fighting melanoma. Through LFFM New York, this community has raised over £21 million for research, fueling critical breakthroughs in melanoma and across the field of oncology. The New York event has become more than a fundraiser – it’s a sold-out, influential gathering where over 100 firms unite, blending philanthropy with powerful networking opportunities that drive both impact and connection. This extraordinary achievement is a testament to the commitment of sponsors who understand the power of purpose-driven collaboration.   Now, for the first time, Leveraged Finance Fights Melanoma is coming to London . The Melanoma Research Alliance is thrilled to announce that on 29 January 2025, LFFM will host its inaugural event at The Wallace Collection.   Thank you to our 2025 Co-Chairs and Event Hosts for all of the work they have done so far to make LFFM London a success:   Co-Chairs – Sean Costello (Fitch Ratings), Roxana Mirica (Apax Partners), Valeria Mollova (Apollo Global Management, Inc.), and Leo Wouters (General Atlantic) Event Hosts – Peter Atkinson (HPS Investment Partners, LLC), Ian Barratt (Kirkland & Ellis), Juan Campos (Hg Capital), Michael Carruthers (Blackstone Credit), Conor Daly (CIFC Asset Management), Philip Edmans (Inflexion), JOHN EMPSON (CVC Credit), Colin Harley (White & Case LLP), Todd H. (HPS Investment Partners, LLC), Tara Moore (Golub Capital), Akshat Khaitan (KKR Capital Markets), Simona Maellare (UBS), Dipish Rai (Termgrid), Neel Sachdev (Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP), Chris Scott (The Carlyle Group), Stephen Smith (Sona Asset Management), and Rich Trobman (Latham & Watkins)   To learn more about sponsoring LFFM in London or New York, please contact Janine Rauscher at jrauscher@curemelanoma.org or at +1.202.336.8944.

MRA is excited to announce our new online discussion series, MRA Meet-Ups, where we will regularly connect with the melanoma community to discuss important topics, share insights and experiences, and ask questions! We invite you to join our very first MRA Meet Up Series online panel discussion on Wednesday, November 20 at 2:00 PM ET for an important and empowering session, "Be Your Biggest Advocate: Navigating a Melanoma Diagnosis". This session will feature a panel of experts and share insights on how patients can advocate for themselves during a melanoma diagnosis journey. Panelists include: Evan Lipson, MD – Oncologist, Johns Hopkins Medicine Megan Schollenberger – Medical Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Johns Hopkins Kelly McWhinney – Patient Advocate Dana Deighton – Moderator, MRA Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and connect with experts and peers. Register today to secure your spot – limited seats are available! #melanoma #community #MRAMeetUp https://lnkd.in/gJHRuqTG

On this Veterans Day, MRA wishes to recognize the brave individuals who have served and sacrificed for our country. As the largest private nonprofit funder of melanoma research worldwide, we are keenly aware of the important intersection between military service and melanoma. Military service involves a unique set of challenges and occupational hazards ranging from immediate safety to long-term wellbeing, and one challenge often overlooked is the increased risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. When it comes to melanoma, research has found that veterans are not only at higher risk for melanoma but are also more likely to have advanced-stage disease when it's detected. Of the most common cancers diagnosed among veterans, melanoma is fourth. Melanoma diagnoses are also increasing among active-duty service members with the greatest incidence rates seen in the Air Force, Navy, and the Marines. Sun exposure and lack of protection from UV rays, potential exposure to carcinogens and other chemicals, and overall demographics of the veteran population may also play a role in this increased risk. https://lnkd.in/gZDdrAJe

Although treatment options for advanced melanoma have improved, many patients still will not benefit from currently approved therapies. Limited treatment options are available for such patients, representing a clear unmet medical need for patients today. Oncolytic viruses are a form of immunotherapy that use viruses to infect and destroy cancer cells. This type of immunotherapy is under investigation to treat advanced melanomas and may be useful when initial anti-PD-1 immunotherapy stops benefiting patients. A new oncolytic virus called RP1 is currently being tested in a Phase 3 clinical trial called IGNYTE-3. To learn more about RP1 and this clinical trial, we talked to two of the study’s principal investigators: Omid Hamid, MD, Co-Director of the Melanoma Center and Phase I Immuno-Oncology Program at The Angeles Clinic & Research Institute, Inc., a Cedars-Sinai Affiliate and Tawnya Bowles, MD, Surgical Oncologist and Senior Medical Director of Oncology at Intermountain Health. https://lnkd.in/gkhvYTfd