Patient Stories

Guest blog post from April Muhlbauer, MRF advocate and mother of a 13-year-old pediatric melanoma warrior.

“I didn’t know anything about melanoma or skin cancer before I got it. I didn’t think I would ever get cancer. I want kids and adults to be aware and know about skin cancer so they can do things to prevent it from happening to them. I want people to know about my cancer and learn from it to protect themselves.”
- Ross Muhlbauer, 13

#EyeGetDilated because… I want to continue exploring the world with my mom. I know this statement may not exactly make sense, so let me explain.

J.B. Ward is one of the 1% of melanoma patients with mucosal melanoma. Together, J.B., the MRF and the mucosal melanoma community have launched a mucosal melanoma fundraising campaign with proceeds used to create #OutoftheShadows, an educational video highlighting mucosal melanoma patients and shining a light on this rare form of melanoma. No one should have to feel alone after receiving a melanoma diagnosis.

Guest blog post by OM survivor and #EyeGetDilated advocate, Deborah Smith:

Guest blog post by OM survivor and #EyeGetDilated advocate, William Karp:

Ocular melanoma survivor and 2017 MRF Courage Award recipient Aaron Davis on the importance of "near life experiences."

My name is Faith Hauss and in February of 2015 I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in my left eye at the age of 42. As compared to other forms of cancer, and even the more common cutaneous (skin) melanoma, the outlook for those with this rare disease can feel devastating to say the least, with as many as of 50% of patients succumbing to the cancer.

There are four words that no one can prepare you for in life.

When I was 31 years old I found a small lump on the left side of my neck. Two doctors and many friends and family told me it was nothing. My body and my mind were telling me otherwise. Unfortunately, I was right.

J.B. Ward is one of the 1% of melanoma patients with mucosal melanoma. She and the MRF have partnered to raise money for an educational video of mucosal melanoma patients to educate others about this extremely agressive cancer. Click here to learn more about and contribute to her efforts to help stop this especially deadly melanoma.