Melanoma Research Foundation

06/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Ask the Expert webinar, Understanding Melanoma Risk: How Prognostic Testing Can Help Guide Your Care.

During this informative discussion, dermatology clinician Andrew Baker shared expert insights on melanoma diagnosis, risk assessment, recurrence and emerging approaches in care, while patient advocate Leah Alexis Adams offered a powerful perspective on her own melanoma journey and how prognostic testing has helped inform conversations and decisions throughout her care.

The webinar provided patients and caregivers with valuable information about understanding melanoma risk and taking an active role in treatment discussions.

Missed the live session or want to watch it again? The full webinar recording is now available on our YouTube channel:

This Ask the Expert webinar focused on helping patients and caregiv...

06/04/2026

Our 2026 Miles for Melanoma season is off to an incredible start! 💙

Last month, more than 670 participants came together in Washington, DC to run, walk and rally in support of the melanoma community. Thanks to this amazing outpouring of support, the event not only reached its fundraising goal—it surpassed it, raising more than $127,000 and exceeding the original $115,000 target.

We are so grateful to every participant, donor, sponsor, volunteer and supporter who helped make this event such a success. Check out the official recap video!

06/04/2026

June is Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month -- and for patients with rare melanoma subtypes like mucosal and ocular melanoma, immunotherapy can look very different than it does for skin melanoma.

Unlike cutaneous melanoma, these rare forms are not caused by UV exposure -- and they don't always respond to the same treatments. Researchers are working to understand what immunotherapy approaches work best for each subtype, and the progress is real.

Learn more about ocular and mucosal melanoma and its treatment options: https://melanoma.org/mucosal-melanoma/
https://melanoma.org/ocular-melanoma/

06/03/2026

-- today, we are honored to highlight Bryan Weselman of Georgetown University, recipient of an MRF Medical Student Award, with funding support provided in honor of Christopher Westdyk.

Bryan's work titled, "Using tumor macrophage function to predict immunotherapy response," explores macrophage tumor cells and seeks to classify different types based on their overall function. Bryan's aim is to explore how various macrophage tumor subtypes may help predict a patient's therapy response.

Of his work, Bryan offers, "The immune system plays an important role in fighting melanoma. New therapies activate the immune system - specifically T cells - to better fight cancer. Unfortunately, these immunotherapies only work in about half of patients with advanced melanoma. My research focuses on a unique population of immune cells called antigen-presenting macrophages that can engulf melanoma cells and present fragments of them to T cells. We are investigating if a higher presence of these cells can predict who will and will not respond to immunotherapy to better tailor treatment decisions. Additionally, enhancing the activity of these cells may help T cells better recognize melanoma cells so they can eliminate them, improving the response to immunotherapy in those that previously would not."

To learn more about Bryan's work, please visit -- https://melanoma.org/news-press/research-grant/using-tumor-macrophage-function-to-predict-immunotherapy-response/

06/03/2026

June is Men's Health Awareness Month, and it's a great reminder that taking care of your skin is an important part of taking care of your overall health. 💙

Did you know that only 18.1% of men regularly use sunscreen on their face? Yet daily sun protection is one of the simplest ways to help reduce your risk of melanoma.

Whether you're working outdoors, playing sports, spending time on the water or just running errands, make sunscreen part of your daily routine—and don't forget to schedule your annual skin exam with a board-certified dermatologist.

Your health is worth it.

06/03/2026

The MRF continues to shine a light on the impact of mRNA-based therapies as a promising treatment option for patients with advanced .

A recent NPR article shares the incredibly promising results from a clinical trial testing a new messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine combined with the immunotherapy drug, Keytruda. The article cites this treatment as a highly "personalized immunotherapy strategy tailored to each patient's tumor." 92% of patients who received this combination therapy were alive at the five-year mark, compared to 71% of those who just used Keytruda singly. A Phase 3 trial is currently underway with hopes of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval imminently.

Learn more -- https://www.npr.org/2026/06/01/nx-s1-5827041/cancer-vaccine-mrna-melanoma

06/03/2026

Thank you to WCCO & CBS News Minnesota for helping raise awareness about melanoma, prevention and early detection. 💙

In this special segment, Dr. Deepti Behl, Assistant Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic, shares important information about what melanoma is, warning signs to look for and simple ways to protect your skin, including wearing sunscreen, UPF-protective clothing, sunglasses and a hat when spending time outdoors.

The segment also features Robyn Fine, Stage IV melanoma survivor, advocate and educator, who shares her personal melanoma journey and the importance of staying vigilant about skin health. Robyn also highlights the upcoming Twin Cities Miles for Melanoma 5K, taking place on Sunday, August 30 at Harriet Island Park.

Watch the clip and learn how you can protect your skin, raise awareness and support the melanoma community: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/video/what-are-the-warning-signs-of-melanoma/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

Register for Twin Cities Miles for Melanoma: https://donate.melanoma.org/site/TR?fr_id=2204&pg=entry

With summer and sunburns, Dr. Deepti Behl shares advice on how to stay aware of the warning signs of skin cancer.

06/03/2026

As we reflect on another meaningful Melanoma Awareness Month, we are filled with gratitude for our incredible community that came together to raise awareness, share stories and inspire action. 💙

Thank you to the patients, survivors, care partners and advocates who courageously shared their melanoma journeys and encouraged others to and prioritize their skin health. Thank you to the dermatologists and healthcare professionals who educate the public about prevention and early detection, and to the researchers whose work continues to drive progress toward better treatments and outcomes.

We're also grateful to everyone who donated, participated in an event, supported our cause marketing partners, shopped merchandise, shared our content or helped spread awareness throughout May. Your support made a lasting impact.

While Melanoma Awareness Month has come to an end, the conversation continues. If you're in New York City, you can still visit our billboard in Times Square at 1500 Broadway, featuring spokesperson Captain Jason Chambers, now on display through July 31.

Although May has ended, our mission continues year-round. If you'd still like to support melanoma research, education and advocacy, you can make a donation here: https://buff.ly/IzwrQlS

Thank you for helping us move closer to a future without melanoma.

06/02/2026

Last month, the MRF joined our partners at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual Skin Cancer Screening on the Hill, an important event that brings together dermatologists, patient advocates and policymakers to promote skin cancer prevention, early detection and access to care. 💙

The event provides Members of Congress and their staff with free skin cancer screenings while creating valuable opportunities to discuss policies that impact the melanoma and skin cancer communities.

We were especially grateful to have Congressman John Joyce (PA-13) join us and highlight the importance of skin cancer prevention and early detection. We also thank him for his leadership on the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act and look forward to continuing our work together to advance policies that support patients and families affected by melanoma.

06/02/2026

This past month, we were honored to bring the melanoma community together for three impactful Together Against Melanoma: Patient & Caregiver Symposia in partnership with Fred Hutch Cancer Center, The The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and Yale Cancer Center Smilow Cancer Hospital 💙

These educational events connected patients, caregivers and leading melanoma experts for important conversations on diagnosis, treatment advances, survivorship and supportive care.

From exploring the science behind melanoma and the immune system, to learning about the latest treatment options and resources available to patients and families, each symposium offered valuable insights and opportunities for connection.

Missed a session or want to revisit a presentation? All symposium recordings are now available on our YouTube channel.

Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqV-0vUlSC3aOPSMFF05axJAvt3Bj5Jlq