Join the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) on Wednesday, November 20th at 7:30 PM ET for a discussion about uveal melanoma (UM) and the importance of annual screenings, including dilated eye exams. The webinar will explore current diagnosis challenges, treatment options and new treatments in development.  Hear firsthand from Garth Corner about his experience with treatment, including the impact on his daily life and the importance of early intervention. At the conclusion of the discussion, there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions to both Dr. Stacey and Garth. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain knowledge, support and inspiration. Register now to secure your spot! Click here to register: Webinar Registration – Zoom

Andrew Stacey is an Ocular Oncologist at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington. He cares for patients with ocular tumors inside and outside the eye. He completed his undergraduate and Master’s degree in Statistics at Brigham Young University. He then returned to Ohio where he grew up to complete medical school at The Ohio State University. His ophthalmology training was completed at the University of Michigan. He completed his training in London, England where he was a fellow in Ocular Oncology at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital. He has a wonderful wife and 4 busy children.

Garth Corner is a uveal melanoma patient and a retired First Sergeant, Active Duty US Army, 1989-2010, 3 combat deployments to Iraq. He is currently serving as Patrol Officer at Kent Police Department in Kent, WA, 2010-Present. He is a small business owner and got his BS at Excelsior College and AA at the University of Maryland.

Join melanoma patients, caregivers, supporters and advocates from across the country on March 2-4, 2025, in Washington, DC to learn about issues facing the melanoma community, our community’s key legislative priorities and then share your story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Register now!

Join melanoma patients, caregivers, supporters and advocates from across the country on March 3-5, 2024, in Washington, DC to learn about issues facing the melanoma community, our community’s key legislative priorities and then share your story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Registration closed January 31 The agenda is coming soon! #MRFAdvocacyDays24

Our “Ask the Expert” webinar series is intended to educate and engage our community about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, the critical need for research and how melanoma patients and caregivers can be powerful advocates for their care. The Melanoma Awareness Month “Ask the Expert” presentation sponsored by Eisai will be on Tuesday, May 16 at 7pm. MRF Advocacy Officer Kim Watkins will lead a discussion with a patient panel of Kristin Steiner, Jennifer Schultz and Terrilyn Healy to share how patients, caregivers and survivors can be powerful advocates for both their own care and the wider melanoma community. Mark your calendars today and join us on May 16 to Ask the Expert!

View Speakers, Panelists and Program Information Here

Join melanoma patients, caregivers, supporters and advocates from across the country on March 5-7 in Washington, DC to learn about issues facing the melanoma community, our community’s key legislative priorities and then share your story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Sign up here to receive all the latest updates about this important event and the MRF’s advocacy initiatives, and then join us in our nation’s capital to be the voice of the melanoma community!

Register Today!

View the Agenda

The MRF’s Advocacy Days is the largest melanoma advocacy event of the year and unites melanoma advocates from across the country to meet with members of Congress to urge them to make melanoma a national priority. Patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and community partners share their stories with lawmakers and legislative staff to urge their support for increased research funding, access to treatment and other top priorities of the melanoma community. In order to schedule meetings with Congressional offices, registration is required by February 28, 2022.

Additional information about the event including a draft agenda will be available in the near future, so mark your calendars today and plan to join us in March to be the voice of the melanoma community on Capitol Hill! For any questions about the event or the MRF’s Advocacy program, please email advocacy@melanoma.org.

The MRF’s Advocacy Days is the largest melanoma advocacy event of the year and unites melanoma advocates on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress to urge them to make melanoma a national priority. Patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and community partners travel from across the country to share their stories and take their message to the Hill. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event will be VIRTUAL, but together we can still make a big impact!  Experience with talking to members of Congress is not required for this event. The MRF will provide you with the tools, resources and training you need to make your voice heard!

Anyone who is passionate about telling their story and making a difference for the millions of Americans impacted by melanoma can attend this annual event. This year, the MRF will host a half-day virtual program on March 1, 2021 to brief you on key issues impacting the melanoma community and provided education and resources for successful meetings with your lawmakers. 

No need to schedule your own meetings with your Senator or House Representative; the MRF will work with you to schedule virtual meeting with your lawmakers and/or their staffers. Due to the virtual nature of the event, meetings will be scheduled between the afternoon of March 1 through March 5 at 5:00PM ET depending on the availability of the member of Congress and your schedule.

Due to the virtual platform, attendees will need a computer or other device that can run the virtual meeting platforms, such as GoToMeeting and Microsoft Teams, and a phone in the event meetings are conducted via phone. Meetings will be schedules at the availability of the Representative or Senator and/or their staff. Meetings will be held either via Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting or phone call based on the needs of the Congressional office. 

Registration is FREE and OPEN!

REGISTER HERE

Your Voice Matters!

The MRF’s Advocacy Days is your opportunity to virtually bring your story to Washington, DC and raise awareness about melanoma, speak on behalf of those who could not and provide hope for those fighting this disease! Check out the MRF’s 2020 Hill Day video below to learn more about this event!

I was fortunate to find the MRF early after my diagnosis. I decided to join the MRF for Hill Day exactly one year post diagnosis and this exhilarating experience rewarded me with the strength I felt I lost. – Laura Wells, survivor and MRF advocate

Thank you to our Platinum Level Partner

Thank you to our Gold Level Partner

Thank you to our Silver Level Partner

The MRF’s Advocacy Summit and Hill Day is the largest melanoma advocacy event of the year. This two-day event in Washington, DC unites melanoma advocates on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress to urge them to make melanoma a national priority. Patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and community partners travel from across the country to share their stories and take their message to the Hill.

Experience with talking to members of Congress is not required for this event. The MRF will provide you with the tools, resources and training you need to make your voice heard! Anyone who is passionate about telling their story and making a difference for the millions of Americans impacted by melanoma can attend this annual event. Learn more here.

Speakers

Your Voice Matters!

The federal government is the largest source of research funding for melanoma research and each year, your members of Congress determine how much funding will be allocated to cancer research. In 2018 you made your voices heard and Congress listened awarding melanoma $10 million in dedicated Department of Defense (DOD) funding for melanoma. In 2019, advocates went back to the Hill and rallied for continued funding and were able to successfully urge the House to pass $10 million in DOD-funding for 2020.

The MRF’s Advocacy Summit and Hill Day is your opportunity to bring your story to Washington, DC and raise awareness about melanoma, speak on behalf of those who could not and provide hope for those fighting this disease!

I was fortunate to find the MRF early after my diagnosis. I decided to join the MRF for Hill Day exactly one year post diagnosis and this exhilarating experience rewarded me with the strength I felt I lost. – Laura Wells, survivor and MRF advocate

Event Outline

Sunday, March 8, 2020: 5:00 PM –  Welcome Reception & Event Check-In 

Monday, March 9, 2020: 8:00 AM – Breakfast and Advocacy Summit/Training

Tuesday, March 10, 2020: 9:00 AM – Breakfast, Advocacy Briefing and Hill Visits

Thank you to our Silver Level Partners

Thank you to our Bronze Level Partner

This FREE event will begin with a comprehensive training, culminating in meetings with your state legislators. The MRF will assist in setting up these meetings for you. With keen competition for federal dollars, it's critical we make a strong showing to represent the interests of the melanoma community. 

Click here for more details and to register for this free event!