Melanoma Help and Support for Patients and Families Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Melanoma Melanoma Resources Where to Find the Help You Need Here are some organizations that aim to improve life for patients. By Nicol NataleReviewed: June 1, 2018Fact-CheckediStock Organizations That Aim to Improve Life for PatientsMelanoma Research Foundation: 800-673-1290. The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Their mission is to support medical research to find effective treatments and a cure for melanoma, to educate patients and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma, and to advocate for the melanoma community. The American Melanoma Foundation: 858-412-3271. The mission of AMF is to raise public awareness and educate on the prevention and risks of melanoma, to provide patient education and advocacy, to facilitate patient support groups, and to fund research and discovery programs for the treatment of melanoma. Impact Melanoma: 800-557-6352. Impact Melanoma seeks to provide education, prevention, and support for skin cancer. They are a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of melanoma. American Cancer Society: 800-227-2345. American Cancer Society offers resources, news, and online support groups for a range of cancers, including melanoma. Melanoma International Foundation: 866-463-6663. MIF is a nonprofit that seeks to provide guidance to melanoma patients and develop personalized strategies so they may live longer, better lives. Melanoma Research Alliance: 202-336-8935. The mission of the Melanoma Research Alliance is to end suffering and death due to melanoma by collaborating with all stakeholders to accelerate powerful research, advance cures for all patients, and prevent future melanomas. American Academy of Dermatology: 888-462-3376. The goal of AAD is to promote leadership in dermatology and excellence in patient care through education, research, and advocacy. The site offers information for patients. Financial Assistance Help When You Need It Melanoma Research Foundation: 800-673-1290. Offers a list of organizations, links, and contacts to help those whose melanoma diagnosis is becoming a financial burden on them or their family. Health Central: Provides links to financial assistance resources so that you can get the help you need to prevent and treat skin cancer. The programs will help you afford the cost of physician visits, medical procedures, and medications used to treat your skin cancer. American Academy of Dermatology: The AAD has a database that allows you to check for free skin cancer screenings in your geographic area. CancerCare: 866-552-6729. CancerCare offers limited financial and copay assistance, as well as the option of having a professional oncologist social worker find you additional resources. They also have an online database that helps you find doctors and a range of assistance. Fifth Season Financial: 866-459-1271. Fifth Season Financial is a financial assistance resource that works to relieve the financial burden experienced by many late-stage cancer patients. Coping Advocacy and Support Cancer Support Community: 888-793-9355. Join 177,000-plus people registered to give support for others after a skin cancer diagnosis. Build your support community with friends and family to help you through the treatment process. SkinCancer.Net: Provides a comprehensive list of melanoma and skin cancer support groups. DailyStrength: Explore DailyStrength's Skin Cancer support groups and meet others who are facing issues related to skin cancer. Inspire: A skin cancer support and discussion community for sharing experiences with melanoma, carcinomas, screening, moles, sun exposure, treatments, and more. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: MSKCC provides a Counseling Center that offers both individual and group counseling sessions to help you and your family cope with your disease. It also offers a Survivorship Center that has support groups, follow-up programs, educational resources, and more. CancerCare: 800-813-HOPE ext. 4673. CancerCare offers free online, telephone, and face-to-face services for those with melanoma and a range of cancers. Their services include individual counseling and support in groups so you can find the help you need. Facts and StatisticsCancer.Net American Cancer SocietyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Medications and TherapiesAldesleukinCotellic (cobimetinib)Tafinlar (dabrafenib)DTIC-Dome (dacarbazine)IL-2 (aldesleukin)Imlygic (talimogene laherparepvec)Interleukin-2 (aldesleukin)Intron A (recombinant interferon alfa-2b)Keytruda (pembrolizumab)Mekinist (trametinib)Opdivo (nivolumab)PembrolizumabProleukin (aldesleukin)Yervoy (ipilimumab)Zelboraf (vemurafenib) Patient and Community Blogs Dear Melanoma: An authentic glimpse into the roller coaster that is life with stage 4 melanoma — the highs, the lows, and the in-between. Melanoma Jo: Jolene was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma on September 29, 2010 at age 23. Jo offers the story of her cancer journey to raise awareness and share her story. Facing Melanoma: Francisco Gabriel was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in January 2014. He decided to write about it so he could share his thoughts and feelings, as well as raise awareness of one of the most rapidly growing types of cancer. Adventures With My Enemy Melanoma: Chelsea, 25, describes herself as a “stage 3 melanoma diva.” Instead of letting cancer destroy her life, she is determined to share her experiences with others and promote melanoma awareness. Clinical Trials for Melanoma NIH: ClinicalTrials.gov is a database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world. Explore 272,882 research studies in all 50 states and in 203 countries. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Melanoma Immunotherapy Given Before Target Therapy Improves Advanced Melanoma Survival Rates New findings are changing the way skin cancer is treated around the world.By Becky UphamOctober 3, 2022 Types of MelanomaLearn about the four major types of skin melanoma, and also the less common types that can occur in other parts of the body, with this guide.By Pamela KaufmanOctober 1, 2022 Early Detection of Melanoma Know the Signs and SymptomsThe earlier melanoma is caught and diagnosed, the better the prognosis is.By Pamela KaufmanSeptember 1, 2022 Metastatic Melanoma Symptoms Stages TreatmentBy Pamela KaufmanAugust 30, 2022 Stages of Melanoma Skin CancerQuickly determining the cancer’s severity helps doctors zero in on the best course of treatment.By Pamela KaufmanAugust 29, 2022 Treating Melanoma Patient Options Have Gotten Significantly BetterBy Pamela KaufmanJuly 19, 2022 ESPN Sports Reporter Holly Rowe Shares What It s Like to Live With Advanced MelanomaWhen Holly Rowe was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in 2015, she didn’t understand the seriousness of her diagnosis. Now, 7 years later, she’s aware, ...By Elizabeth DeVita-RaeburnJuly 7, 2022 Could Eating Too Much Fish Raise Your Risk of Developing Melanoma Experts and researchers agree that findings linked to skin cancer aren’t conclusive enough to take fish off the menu.By Becky UphamJune 15, 2022 What Is Melanoma Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and PreventionBy Pamela KaufmanAugust 13, 2020 Can Genetics Determine Risk for Melanoma Progression Researchers might have an answer as to why skin cancer spreads in some patients and not others.By Liz SchererJune 23, 2020 MORE IN Gallbladder Cancer Symptoms Diagnosis and Treatment 6 Things to Read Watch and Listen to About Ovarian Cancer Leukemia Survivorship and Care