​ Cody R. Barnett, Director of Communications M: (717) 880-7100 E-mail: cbarnett@curemelanoma.org  ​Melanoma Action Coalition & Melanoma Research Alliance Launch SunSavvy365   The Melanoma Action Coalition and the Melanoma Research Alliance are partnering to launch SunSavvy365, an online campaign to remind everyone that the need for sun safety does not end on Labor Day. The campaign toolkit, freely available to anyone at www.SunSavvy365.org, includes dozens of tailored prevention messages that can be easily shared via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to remind parents, children, and you ..read more

One of the ways MAC can be most helpful to members is through collaboration. Working together conserves our energy and resources, provides us with the sense that we are not working alone, and plugs us in to a nationwide network of passionate melanoma advocates and experts.   MAC members are already collaborating in a multitude of ways:George Miller of the Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation helped Tracy Callahan of the Polka Dot Mama Melanoma Foundation secure a bus for its mobile skin cancer screenings. Christine Garrison of The White Aisle Foundation and Neil Spiegler of the Peggy Spiegler Mela ..read more

​A friend of mine is presently being treated for Merkel cell carcinoma and began radiation about a month ago, so I thought I might write a little about this form of skin cancer. Your first thought might be, “What is a Merkel cell? I’ve never heard of it.” Merkel cells lie on the outermost layer of the skin. They were identified in the 1800’s by Friedrick Merkel, a German anatomist. Their complete function has not yet been identified but they are found all over the body in varying amounts, with the highest density on the fingertips, lips, and face where touch sensitivity is at its greatest. Th ..read more

Keeping our children safe seems to be a natural thought. We take safety measures every day to protect our children. This includes things like bike helmets, sport protective gear, life jackets, seat belts, smoke free homes, and providing safe environments.   As a mother of a child with a melanoma diagnosis, it has become my mission to remind others about sun safety. Graham was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 9.  He could not even pronounce it. He called called it, “lemonola.” Graham’s melanoma was not sun related, but as I learn more, I have a hard time watching parents neglect some ver ..read more

A layperson’s explanation of biomarkers and targeted immunotherapy ​ Although people share many biological similarities, each person is a unique biological environment of its own. The melanoma animal grows and defends itself based on the environment in which it has taken residence. This is one of the reasons it has been so difficult to find a standard treatment for this disease. Treatments create similar side effects in all individuals but may not have the same effect on the melanoma. One of the most promising breakthroughs in melanoma treatment in recent years is the area of immunotherapy ..read more