January 27, 2025
Advocate for Legislative Issues
ADVOCATE
The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) Advocacy Program is a platform for those affected by melanoma to share their voice and transform melanoma care. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, survivor, healthcare professional or partner, YOU play a critical role in the advancement of better outcomes for the over one million Americans living with melanoma and their loved ones.
The MRF works diligently with other patient advocacy groups and government at the local, state and federal levels to create positive outcomes for those affected by melanoma. Take action today!
Advocacy 101
Interested in learning more about advocacy? Visit the MRF’s Education Institute here and take our Advocacy 101 course!
Partners in Advocacy
- The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer, including urging colleges and universities to commit to tan-free campuses.
- The MRF works with The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) as they fight for state level legislation that supports an under 18 ban on indoor tanning use, without exemptions like parental consent or doctor’s referral
- The MRF is a proud member of the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, and encourages everyone to participate in their annual Don’t Fry Day campaign.
- The MRF is a member of the Public Access to Sunscreen Coalition (PASS), lobbying Congress to put pressure on the FDA to improve processes for approving sunscreen ingredients that have been safely used, and on the European Market for over 10 years. The MRF and PASS also work to ensure that legislation like a recent ban on sunscreen ingredients by Hawaii does not negatively affect access to sunscreen. Read the MRF Statement on Banning Sunscreen Ingredients.
- The MRF is proud to partner with Friends of Cancer Research (Friends). Friends drives collaboration among partners from every healthcare sector to power advances in science, policy, and regulation that speed life-saving treatments to patients. During the past 20-plus years, Friends has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of policies ensuing patients receive the best treatments as quickly and safely as possible. Friends is proud to partner with the Melanoma Research Foundation on our Advocacy Education program through ProgressForPatients.org, providing patients and advocates with the tools necessary to effectively communicate with drug researchers, developers, and regulators.