1. Sara M. Selig, MD, MPH
Co-Founder & Director, CURE OM
Melanoma Research Foundation

2. CURE OM Co-Founder:
Dr. Gregg E. Stracks
1971-2012

3. CURE OM Mission
To support research and accelerate the
development of effective treatments and,
ultimately, a cure for ocular melanoma through
innovative strategies including international and
interdisciplinary collaborations. To improve the
lives of people affected by ocular melanoma
by creating systems and programs to provide
education and support. To advocate for the
ocular melanoma community.

4. – Annual Eyes on OM Symposium
– CURE OM Educational Webinar Series
– Educational materials
– Educational and awareness campaigns
– Meet and Greets
– “Buddy” program
– Clinical trials finder
– Virtual support groups in partnership with Thomas Jefferson
University
– Grassroots organizing and fundraising
– Galas
– 5K walk/runs
– Treatment Center Collaborative Coalition (TC3)
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Patient/Caregiver Initiatives

5. Eyes On a Cure: Annual Patient &
Caregiver Symposium

6. Eyes On a Cure: Annual Patient &
Caregiver Symposium
• Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, June 2012.
• MD Anderson, Houston, March 2013
• UCLA, Los Angeles, March 2014
• Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, March 2015
• Emory University, Atlanta, March 2015
• Washington, DC March 2017
• Denver, CO Spring 2018
• Raleigh, North Carolina, Spring 2019
• TBD Spring 2020

7. Education and Awareness:
MRF’s Print Resources
The MRF offers a wide variety of free print resources for parents, children, teens,
adults, patients and caregivers that can be ordered at www.melanoma.org.

8. Education and Awareness

9. OM Support Groups
- Monthly Virtual Support Group led by
oncology social workers from Thomas
Jefferson University.
- Patients at any point on their journey
(Primary/Mets); Caregivers

10. MRF Galas

11. Thank you CURE OM teams!

12. Treatment Center Collaborative Coalition (TC3)
Pilot initiative
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• Participating Centers:
• Colorado Retina Associates
• University of California Los Angeles
• University of Colorado
• Thomas Jefferson University
• Emory University
• MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Cleveland Clinic

13. Research Initiatives
 CURE OM has secured over $1.5 million for research
 Uveal melanoma specific peer-reviewed research grants
 CURE OM scientific meetings
 Patient registry
 TCGA
 Partnerships with NCI, SMR

14. Research Vision
“We have a VISION - we want a
TEAM of experts to focus on ocular
melanoma – the more minds we can
bring together to look at OM the
better result we might have. The
TEAM- no matter what academic
halls they walk, approaches they use,
research they are pursuing – are
willing to collaborate, push the limits,
take risks, think outside the box, be
aggressive yet safe, be passionate,
and integrative “
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15. CURE OM Scientific Meetings

16. CURE OM Scientific Meetings

17. The Cancer Genome Atlas

18. The Cancer Genome Atlas
https://www.cancer.gov/about-
nci/organization/ccg/blog/2017/cure-om

19. Research Grants
Medical Student Awards $3,000 for 1 yr
 Deadline for Submission: November 6th, 2018
 RFP currently available on the MRF website
MRFBC-BMS Young Investigator Translational Immuno-Oncology
Team Science Award $150,000 per yr for 2 yrs
 Deadline for Submission: December 3rd, 2018
 RFP currently available on the MRF website
Cure-OM Team Science Award Up to $150,000 per yr for 2 yrs
 Deadline for Submission: March 1st, 2019
 RFP to be posted on the MRF website in December 2018
Established Investigator Awards (EIAs) Up to $100,000 per yr for 2 yrs
 Deadline for Submission: March 1st, 2019
 RFP to be posted on the MRF website in December 2018
Career Development Awards (CDAs) Up to $50,000 per yr for 2 yrs
 Deadline for Submission: March 1st, 2019

20. CURE OM Registry Objectives
 To develop and utilize a standardized global patient-reported online
registry to provide data regarding the incidence, prevalence,
demographics, risk factors, genetics, natural history, treatments and
patient experience (patient preferences and quality of life) from diagnosis
through the lifetime of OM.
 To provide patient centered data to enhance the care of individuals with
OM.
 To facilitate collaborative efforts between patients, clinicians and
researchers to improve the outcomes for patients affected by this
disease.
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21. Where from here? More to come!
 Continued development of CURE OM Patient Registry
 Expand #EyeGetDilated – November 2019
 Expansion of support groups
 2019 CURE OM Scientific Meeting(s)
 Increased funding for OM research
 Establish global research priorities in partnership with international partners

22. Thank you!!