If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with uveal melanoma or ocular cancer, we are so sorry. Here’s a short video from Ross Wither, a uveal melanoma survivor, giving some words of hope to fellow “OMies” (Ocular Melanoma Homies):
In August of 2024, when Ross was diagnosed with Uveal Melanoma, I remember being so overwhelmed with information and, most of all, fear. When we started this journey I remember seeing all the scary statistics on the Internet.
We want to change the conversation to one of hope and resilience instead of fear and stress. If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with uveal melanoma, here are some great places to start your research:
- A Cure In Sight
- A treasure trove of information about this rare form of eye cancer. “A Cure In Sight™ (ACIS) offers financial help to patients struggling with the costs of ocular melanoma (uveal melanoma or eye cancer). After initial treatment, many patients face ongoing expenses for medications, procedures, and monitoring for metastatic disease.”
- You’ll need to have an ocular oncologist and a medical oncologist on your team. Click here to help find a doctor near you.
- A treasure trove of information about this rare form of eye cancer. “A Cure In Sight™ (ACIS) offers financial help to patients struggling with the costs of ocular melanoma (uveal melanoma or eye cancer). After initial treatment, many patients face ongoing expenses for medications, procedures, and monitoring for metastatic disease.”
- The Melanoma Research Foundation
- “The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma. The MRF is an active advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF’s website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers.”
- Check this link for support for patients and caregivers.
- The Eye on Grace Foundation
- “The Eye on Grace Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Ashley McCrary, an Ocular Melanoma patient. Ashley was diagnosed with OM in 2012 and had to have her right eye removed. Eight years later she had the cancer spread to her liver, then lung and breast. Ashley has traveled to Philadelpia, PA once a week for a clinical trial since 2021. She has been blessed with minimal out of pocket expense due to a cancer indemnity plan with AFLAC and the sponsorship of the trial. In an effort to “pay it forward,” Ashley, her husband Dave, and her children started the foundation in hopes of helping others with OM travel for treatment.”
- Ashley is a literal angel here on earth. And she makes incredible art too! When Ross was first diagnosed, we didn’t think about the cost of travel. We had usually been able to go to a doctor locally. Ashley saw my posts online. She reached out to help us. She paid without hesitation for the AirBnB we originally booked to complete Ross’ plaque brachytherapy in September of 2024. Without her organization’s help, and the help of our friends, we would have never been able to make it this far. We are forever and eternally grateful.
thetravelingwithers.com 