My Melanoma Journey and the Importance of Resources like the Melanoma Research Foundation
Guest blog post by melanoma thriver, Adam Kautzner, PharmD, President of Evernorth Care Management and Express Scripts :
“A little more than a decade ago, I noticed a mole on my leg that didn’t look quite right. I ignored it for a while because life was busy, and like a lot of people, I figured it was probably nothing. But when I finally got it checked out, the results were anything but routine.
At first, I was diagnosed with stage III melanoma. We tried everything—surgery, drug therapies and monitoring. But within a year, the cancer had progressed. I was now stage IV, and my doctor sat me down and told me that he had run out of options. My best hope was to enroll in a clinical trial.
That was one of the hardest moments of my life. Not just because of the diagnosis, but because of the overwhelming uncertainty. Suddenly, I was trying to navigate a complex healthcare system while also trying to stay alive. It felt like I was dropped into a maze without a map, which was confusing, isolating and terrifying.
I found a trial, and it saved my life. The therapies being tested back then are now part of the standard of care. Today, I’m cancer-free, but that experience left a permanent imprint. It showed me firsthand how challenging and inaccessible parts of our healthcare system can feel, especially when you’re fighting for your life.
That’s why I want to share my story, and why I want to encourage anyone facing a melanoma diagnosis to connect with the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF).
Why Resources like MRF Matter
When I was in the thick of treatment, it didn’t occur to me to ask for help. I wish I had. The MRF does more than just fund research, it gives people a place to turn when everything else feels uncertain.
They’re making real impact. The MRF has invested more than $28 million in research grants, directly supporting breakthroughs like the one that saved my life. But their work doesn’t stop at funding science. They are active in federal and state advocacy, influencing legislation that makes clinical trials more diverse and accessible and addressing gaps in care, especially in rural and underserved areas. That’s a cause I care deeply about, because I know how much geography can limit access to lifesaving care. They also provide educational resources and support for patients, caregivers and the general public.
Why I’m Speaking Up Now
Going through cancer changes you. For me, it changed my purpose. Today, I work to help patients access the medicines and innovative treatments they need. But I’m also stepping into new roles: advocate, supporter and hopefully, a source of guidance for those traveling the path I once walked.
If you’ve been diagnosed with melanoma or are supporting someone who has, know that you don’t have to face this alone. There are communities and resources, like the MRF, that are ready to help. I found so much strength from connecting with others, and now I’m here to pay it forward, because no one should have to face melanoma alone.”