Melanoma Research Foundation

09/03/2026

During our awareness month, we are elated to shine a light on the innovative research funded by the MRF that is helping to advance our understanding, detection and treatment of pediatric melanoma.

This year, we awarded a Pediatric Established Investigator Award to Elena Hawryluk, MD, PhD of Massachusetts General Hospital for her work examining pediatric melanoma which often behaves very differently than adult melanoma, making it more difficult to recognize, diagnose and treat. Dr. Hawryluk's project aims to study preserved tumor tissue from pediatric patients who had congenital nevi, spitzoid lesions or melanomas biopsied in the past—which were never genetically analyzed. Using advanced sequencing technologies, her team will look for hidden genetic changes that could help distinguish between harmless and high-risk tumors.

You can learn more about Dr. Hawryluk's work here - https://melanoma.org/news-press/research-grant/unveiling-the-genetic-landscape-of-pediatric-melanomas-and-precursors/

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to Denver Life Magazine for being our valued Media Sponsor of our 15th Annual Denver Gala! 💙

As we celebrate 15 years of the Denver Gala and 30 years of the MRF, we’re thankful for partners like Denver Life Magazine who help amplify our mission and shine a light on the melanoma community.

Your support helps advance critical research, education and advocacy and makes this milestone celebration possible.

We can’t wait to celebrate together on Thursday, September 24 at Asterisk Denver! Join us and be part of this special evening, purchase your ticket today: https://melanoma.org/2026denvergala

09/02/2026

For this installment of our campaign, we are elated to highlight Mat Schnorenberg, MD, PhD of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science.

Dr. Schnorenberg received one of this year's MRF Resident/Fellow Awards with funding provided by the Ocular Melanoma Foundation for his work titled, "Reprogramming Tumor Macrophages to Relieve T-Cell Inhibition in Melanoma."

Related to his team's work, Dr. Schnorenberg offers, “Our research starts with the question: Can we help the immune system fight back against melanoma? Inside melanoma tumors, immune cells called macrophages can act like brakes on cancer-fighting T cells. By reprogramming those macrophages, we hope to release those brakes and strengthen the immune response against the tumor. Our long-term goal is to lay the groundwork for treatments that help patients’ own immune systems fight melanoma more effectively.”

To learn more about Dr. Schnorenberg's impactful research, please visit -- https://melanoma.org/news-press/research-grant/mathew-schnorenberg/

09/01/2026

San Francisco, you did it! Our hearts are full of gratitude for this incredible community. More than 400 participants came together at the San Francisco Zoo and helped raise $51,837—80% of our original fundraising goal! And we’re not done yet. Donations remain open through September 30, so there’s still time to help the SF community reach the finish line and make an even greater impact.

Thank you to every participant, volunteer, fundraiser, sponsor and supporter who helped make this day so special. See you in 2027! https://donate.melanoma.org/site/Donation2?PROXY_ID=2234&mfc_pref=T&idb=989940056&df_id=5402&5402.donation=form1&PROXY_TYPE=21&FR_ID=2234

09/01/2026

September is , and our Campaign is here to help families make skin health and sun protection part of their everyday routine. While pediatric melanoma is rare, it can happen, and knowing what to look for can make a difference.

As kids head back to school, now is the perfect time to reinforce healthy, sun-safe habits that can last all year long. From remembering sunscreen to learning how to apply it properly, small steps today can make a lasting impact.

Looking for a fun way to teach kids about sunscreen? Check out our guide, “How to Use Sunscreen Like SPOT,” for creative, kid-friendly tips to make sun protection part of their everyday routine! 💙 https://online.flippingbook.com/view/951679105/

08/29/2026

New York, only 3 weeks to go! 💙 The Miles for Melanoma 5K at Pier 84 is almost here, and we’re currently just 26% toward our fundraising goal. There’s still time to register, build your team and start fundraising! Every dollar brings us closer to a future without melanoma.

Let’s rally together and make a bigger impact on September 19. Register and start fundraising today: https://donate.melanoma.org/site/TR?fr_id=2244&pg=entry

08/29/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to our 15th Annual Denver Gala Co-Chairs for helping make this milestone celebration possible! 💙

Thank you to Elise A. Barish, Gerald Falchook, MD, MS and Kimberly Neyman, MD, FAAD for lending your leadership, passion and support to this special evening as we celebrate 15 years of the Denver Gala and 30 years of the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Your dedication to the melanoma community helps bring patients, survivors, caregivers, clinicians, researchers and supporters together to celebrate progress and help fuel what comes next.

Join us on Thursday, September 24 at Asterisk Denver! Purchase your ticket or sponsorship today and be part of this unforgettable milestone evening: https://melanoma.org/2026denvergala

08/28/2026

A special thank you to Vallencourt Construction for supporting the 6th Annual as our Bar Sponsor! 💙

Their partnership helps make this meaningful evening possible while supporting the groundbreaking melanoma research made possible through each year. Together, we’re helping advance innovative research, explore new treatment approaches and bring hope to patients and families impacted by melanoma.

We’re incredibly grateful to have Vallencourt standing alongside the MRF and the melanoma community as we work toward a future without melanoma.

Join us on Thursday, October 22 at TPC Sawgrass and be part of the impact! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://getnakedjax.org