May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and it will be here before you know it! 

The MRF made tremendous strides toward raising awareness last year.  Our presence in your local communities, media, social networks and Capitol Hill was strong, and with your help, we can reach even more people this year!

We are in a unique position in the cancer community, in that we have identified the carcinogen that leads to melanoma. We know that over-exposure to uv radiation can cause skin cancer. We know that melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and that every hour, someone dies from this devastating disease. Yet, we still hear, "it's just skin cancer," and in most major cities, there are more tanning salons than there are Starbucks.

We won a recent victory, with the approval of Yervoy, but it took over 13 years for an effective new treatment for metastatic melanoma to be developed and approved.

We can--and must--do better, but we need your help!

What are you doing to make an impact this May? 

We have several opportunities for you to get involved:

• Support a local event! Visit our website's calendar, to find out whether there is an event near you.
• Organize a house party fundraiser!
• Ask your favorite restaurant to host a Dining Out night!
• Speak to your church group, country club, or local recreation center about sun safety!
• Start a campaign that encourage teens to "Take a Stand, Don't Tan" this prom season!
• Tell your story! Your local newspapers, magazines and radio stations want to hear from you.
• Become a liaison between the MRF and the doctors in your area! We have brand new educational pieces we'd like to get into the hands of patients in dermatology, and primary care offices; you can make this happen!
• Join us for our 2011 MRF Day on the Hill! We need your voice on Capitol Hill. Here is your chance to speak one-on-one with your Congressional representatives, and share your thoughts on anti-tanning legislation, and drug approval.
• Enter our 2011 T-Shirt Design Contest! Help us start conversations about melanoma awareness. The winning designer will receive a brand new iPad! Visit our website to view contest rules.