We Are Melanoma Research: MRA 2024 Annual Report

Driven by our audacious goal to end suffering and death due to melanoma, the Melanoma Research Alliance has been boldly leading scientific discoveries that translate into improved patient outcomes and renewed hope since 2007. MRA has a demonstrable bias for action and advocacy:

• Empowering the world’s brightest scientists whose imaginations and discoveries challenge standards of care;
• Directly investing in transformational research — over $160 million to date;
• Inspiring patient participation in research and advocacy;
• Educating audiences through leading-edge, peer reviewed resources and authentic storytelling.

Today, through help from our global collective of supporters and partners, MRA has contributed to 17 game-changing FDA approved therapeutic approaches. This translates into expanded options and improved outcomes for melanoma patients and the entire field of oncology. Throughout our 2024 report, We Are Melanoma Research, you’ll find highlights of our most recent accomplishments, as well as stories of the researchers, clinicians, patients, and advocates who make this progress possible.

Our work is not done, however, and we remain steadfast in our effort to tackle the key priority areas necessary to inch closer to our goal:

• Dive deeper into rare melanoma subtypes to better understand unique characteristics and how to exploit vulnerabilities;
• Invest in research that explores the biology, mechanics, and ultimately treatment of brain metastasis and central nervous system metastasis;
• Overcome resistance barriers of the existing melanoma treatment arsenal;
• Harness the full power of AI to synthesize patient reported sentiment with clinical data for predictive and preventative applications;
• Enhance education and awareness communications especially in prevention, attitude, and behavior.

MRA is deeply grateful for our dedicated patient advocate and caregiver community, researcher and clinician collaborators, industry and corporate partners, government allies, and our incredibly generous donors — all of whom help accelerate discoveries and push us closer towards our goals. As we’ve seen in years past, through collaboration and determination, today’s impossible will be tomorrow’s breakthrough.

We will continue to power progress together.