Articles by Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager
Thriving after Advanced Melanoma at 26: John Elson’s Story
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 20 September 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Treatment
John Elson woke up – on his birthday – and discovered a lump in his neck. The New Yorker wasn’t entirely concerned and initially explained it away as a muscle knot. However, when the lump didn’t go away and he noticed a second one near his armpit, alarm bells started...
Compassion, Dignity, & Fashion: Paloma Soledad’s Melanoma Story
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 7 August 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Advanced melanoma challenges patients and families in ways they often could never expect. For New Yorker Paloma Soledad, various side effects from her treatment made it difficult to feel comfortable in her everyday clothing. As a creative artist and designer, she saw this as an opportunity to find a solution...
Andrew Smith: Father, Veteran, and Melanoma Survivor
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 25 June 2023 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Treatment
Andrew Smith was 37 years old when his wife Anna noticed an odd-looking spot on his nose and encouraged him to get it checked out. While this father of three wasn’t particularly concerned, he did bring it up with his primary care physician to assure his wife that everything was okay.
Melanoma Detection in the Digital Age: Total Body Photography
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 20 June 2023 In Science
In most cases, the earlier a melanoma is found and treated, the better the patient’s outcome. That’s why learning what to look for, performing monthly self-checks, and getting a clinical skin exam if you are at high risk for melanoma or other skin cancers is so important.
Melanoma Awareness Month: In Case You Missed It
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 13 June 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Science
Last month, the entire melanoma community came together to recognize Melanoma Awareness Month, hear from leaders in the field, connect with other advocates, and spread awareness of melanoma and the importance of prevention and early detection.
Having Melanoma Made Me a Better Dermatologist: Dr. Beth Strow’s Story
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 29 May 2023 In Melanoma Stories
Dr. Beth Strow’s path to dermatology was neither short nor simple, but it was exactly where she was meant to end up. In fact, her first step into the medical field was as a nurse, when she worked for some time at Children's Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern University.
JD Durkin: An Early-Stage Melanoma & Redefining His Relationship with the Sun
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 26 April 2023 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention
As he entered his 30s, skin exams and biopsies were a regular and frequent occurrence in J.D. Durkin’s life. Growing up with many irregular moles, he started seeing his dermatologist regularly at just 10-years old. Unfortunately for J.D., this meant many excisional biopsies.
Make a Difference this Melanoma Awareness Month
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 24 April 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Prevention
Melanoma Awareness Month, held each May, is an opportunity to join forces with other melanoma advocates to raise awareness of melanoma, the importance of early detection, and the many ways to practice sun safety. MRA has an exciting month of activities planned - and we hope you can join us! Read more to learn about all the ways you can get involved and make a difference this Melanoma Awareness Month.
Melanoma at 33: A Testament to the Importance of Early Detection
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 23 January 2023 In Melanoma Stories
Before he landed his current office job in the energy sector, Matthew Ruiz worked outdoors for many years. He, along with many of his colleagues in the field, took very few precautions to protect themselves from harmful UV rays. As is the unfortunate reality for many people with a history of significant sun exposure, this lifestyle came full circle for Matthew in 2018 when he was diagnosed with melanoma.
From Melanoma Patient to Caregiver
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 11 November 2022 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Science, Treatment
By the time she was 26-years old, Leah Adams had spent countless hours tanning. Growing up in Ohio where the winters were long, she felt a pressure to stay tan far beyond the summer months, so she turned to tanning beds.
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.