We have just learned that House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense Chair Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense Chair Mitch McConnell issued a letter to Department of Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, indicating Congressional intent for CDMRP FY25 programs. Contained in that letter was the directive to fund the Melanoma Research Program (MRP) at $40 million for FY25! This funding will enable more research and more melanoma treatment progress for military members and the general public. According to a recent Military Medicine Study, melanoma incidence among service members is 62% greater than civilians and this program seeks to minimize incidence rates across both populations!

This major achievement is a direct result of your advocacy over the past month! An incredible 206 advocates with 248 calls to Congress (House and Senate), 50 advocates who went to Capitol Hill, 14 advocacy organizations and 32 researchers who signed an FY25 sign on letter. We are so appreciative of the #melanoma community and your efforts to help protect this vital research funding, and we thank Congressional Appropriators for continued melanoma research funding.

While we are optimistic about the future of melanoma funding through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), we are disappointed to learn of the cuts to the 23 other deserving programs within the CDMRP. 

The MRF will continue to advocate for melanoma research funding and finding ways to engage patients and caregivers with their lawmakers.