Articles by Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager
George Mannes' Acral Melanoma Story
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 25 November 2024 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
George Mannes, a longtime writer and editor based in New York City, is sharing his acral melanoma journey in the hopes that more people will become aware of this lesser-known rare melanoma subtype. Acral melanoma, sometimes called acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), forms on the palms, soles of feet, or under...
MRA Meet Ups: Be Your Biggest Advocate - Navigating a Melanoma Diagnosis
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 21 November 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Science, Treatment
On November 20th, MRA hosted its very first online discussion in its new series MRA Meet-Ups, where we regularly connect with the melanoma community to discuss important topics, share insights and experiences, and ask questions. The session, called "Be Your Biggest Advocate: Navigating a Melanoma Diagnosis", featured a panel of...
Prioritizing Sun Protection for the Outdoor Enthusiast Community: Bimini Bay Outfitters
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 28 October 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Prevention
“As a company who both employs and serves the outdoor enthusiast community, sadly most of us know somebody who has been affected by skin cancer,” Bimini Bay Outfitters (BBO) President Bob Feldsott shared.
Engaging Kids and Families in Sun Safety: The Sunscreaming Summer Graphic Novel
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 25 October 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Prevention
In New York City, Dr. Tamara Lazic Strugar has made her mark as a leading dermatologist and a champion of skin health education. Trained at Yale University, Dr. Lazic Strugar has devoted her career to both treating and educating patients and empowering the next generation of dermatologists.
Investigating CAR-T Cell Therapy for Advanced Melanoma
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 28 August 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, News, Science, Treatment
One of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in melanoma research has been the FDA approval of cancer immunotherapy treatments called checkpoint inhibitors. These treatments stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight off melanoma. Checkpoint immunotherapies, first approved in melanoma, are now being used to treat a number of different cancer types.
Sun Safety Spotlight: Dawn Stringer’s Early-Stage Melanoma Diagnosis
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 30 July 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Treatment
Being a child of the 90s, sun safety wasn’t a top priority for Dawn Stringer. “I remember always having pink shoulders,” said Dawn of growing up in sunny Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Whether from the sun or from tanning beds, having a tan seemed essential.
Stage 4 Mucosal Melanoma to No Evidence of Disease: Dane Thorp's Journey
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 26 June 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Science, Treatment
“I can’t hide the fact that I had melanoma,” said Stage 4 mucosal melanoma survivor Dane Thorp. “And when I share my story with others, I always emphasize the importance of being your own advocate.”
Melanoma Awareness Month 2024: In Case You Missed It
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 30 May 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Throughout the last 31 days, the entire melanoma community has come together to recognize Melanoma Awareness Month. The community heard from leading experts in the field, connected with other patient advocates, and spread awareness of melanoma and the importance of prevention, early detection, and the impact of research.
Kelly McWhinney's Melanoma Journey of Perseverance and Perspective
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 13 May 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Science, Treatment
In March of 2022, Kelly McWhinney was a busy mother to her one and two-year-old daughters Mia and Blakely. Life was as hectic as expected for the 27-year-old, but when she noticed that a mole on her back was suddenly changing, she decided to call her dermatologist.
Melanoma Awareness Month: Ways to Get Involved
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 29 April 2024 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Melanoma Awareness Month, held each May, is an occasion to connect and be in community with others who have been touched by melanoma. With this month brings the opportunity to join forces with other melanoma advocates to raise awareness of melanoma research, the importance of early detection, and the many...
About the Author
Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager
Renee Orcione joined the MRA team as a Development Associate in February 2020 and was promoted to Digital Engagement & Communications Manager in September 2022. In her role, Renee provides substantial communications and programmatic support and is responsible for creating, executing, and optimizing content and campaigns to advance MRA’s mission and vision through digital channels.
Renee graduated with a BA in Public Communications and Spanish from American University’s School of Communication in 2016. While in college, she discovered her passion for non-profit work while interning with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and was involved with several other mission-based organizations, including Run Hope Work and City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties. Renee joined MRA after spending two years at Child Care Aware of America, a nonprofit focused on advancing quality child care for all families.
Outside of the office, Renee enjoys traveling, visiting her family in Massachusetts, and spending time with her dogs Linus, who she adopted through City Dogs Rescue, and Rony, her husband's retired military working dog.