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A Cure In Sight (ACIS) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of those affected by ocular melanoma. Through education, patient support programs, advocacy, and research funding, ACIS works to raise awareness and accelerate progress toward better treatments and outcomes.
The Eye Believe Podcast, hosted by A Cure In Sight, brings together patients, caregivers, researchers, and medical professionals to share stories, discuss advances in ocular melanoma research, and highlight the strength of the community. The podcast’s mission is to inform, inspire, and give a voice to those impacted by ocular melanoma.
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Episode 1: My Diagnosis
Fifteen years ago, Melody heard the words that would change her life forever: you have ocular melanoma.
In the first episode of My 15 Years, Melody — founder and president of A Cure in Sight — shares an overview of her diagnosis and the moments surrounding it. From the initial symptoms and medical appointments to the shock, fear, and uncertainty that followed, this episode begins the story at its starting point.
This conversation lays the foundation for the series, offering an honest look at what it’s like to receive a rare cancer diagnosis and begin navigating a future filled with unknowns.
This episode is for patients, survivors, caregivers, and anyone facing a diagnosis they never expected.
Thank you for being here — and for walking this journey with us.
Rare Cancer. Resilient Hope. Revolutionary Research.
🔔 Subscribe to follow the full My 15 Years series
💙 Learn more about A Cure in Sight
🤝 Support ocular melanoma research and awareness
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Hadfield, a medical oncologist treating uveal melanoma patients in the Northeast, for an in-depth discussion of the most important takeaways from ESMO 2025.
Dr. Hadfield breaks down key study results and emerging data from major trials, including the CHOPIN Trial, Immatics Trial, IDEAYA Trial, and more—offering expert insight into what these findings may mean for patients, caregivers, and the future of uveal melanoma treatment.
Links mentioned in this episode
Q1 Eye on the Experts Webinar: Eyes on the Chopin Study: What does this mean for patients? https://events.zoom.us/ev/AgpsCnGSA4Hnib_afWXvh5jNq0qqSTvpKhOB8xHg0M9cItAlsoSw~Ah8MbImmpM---YQJIycJ2xa5cdZV0t5y8JSYZGuk2DnZJoO6vsGncOFduA
ACIS Physician Finder: https://acureinsight.org/resources/ - click physician finder
ACIS Metastatic Treatment Resources (including the July 2025 updated clinical trial summaries of enrolling trials): https://acureinsight.org/metastatic-om/
ASCO Fiber Study 2025: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.9511
Summary of Studies discussed from attendance at ESMO: (https://acureinsight.org/acis-summary-of-uveal-melanoma-um-presentations-abstracts-and-posters-at-the-annual-meeting-of-the-european-society-for-medical-oncology-esmo-october-17-21-2025-berlin-germany/
ACIS NEWS RELEASES: follow along and subscribe to our newsletter to see the latest updates as we have them. https://acureinsight.org/ocular-melanoma-news/
Whether you’re a patient, advocate, or clinician, this episode provides a clear and accessible overview of the latest research shaping the uveal melanoma landscape.
Tune in to learn what’s new, what’s promising, and where the field may be headed next.
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Sophie Cantu, who shares her personal experience participating in a TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte) clinical trial for ocular melanoma.
After previous treatments were unsuccessful, Sophie enrolled in the TIL trial—and saw encouraging results, including tumor shrinkage. She speaks candidly about what led her to the trial, what the experience was like, and how it changed her outlook moving forward.
Sophie’s story offers hope to patients and families navigating treatment decisions and highlights the importance of continued research and clinical trials in advancing options for ocular melanoma.
Tune in to hear Sophie’s journey, her perspective on perseverance, and why sharing patient experiences matters.
NCT pages for trials mentioned:
TIL TRIAL - https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03467516
IDEAYA TRIAL - https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05987332
RP2 TRIAL - https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06581406
Sophie Socials: https://www.facebook.com/SophieStevens9 https://www.instagram.com/sophiegstevenscantu/
Monday Jan 12, 2026
Monday Jan 12, 2026
Mental Health With A Dash Of Humor with Frank King | The Eye Believe Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we sit down with Frank King, the Mental Health Comedian, for an honest, eye-opening, and surprisingly hopeful conversation about mental health.
Frank shares practical guidance on how to start conversations about mental health, key signs to look for in people experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, and—most importantly—what we can actually do to help. Drawing from his own lived experience and years of advocacy, Frank shows how humor, empathy, and listening can truly save lives.
This episode is for anyone who wants to support a loved one, a colleague, or even themselves—and isn’t sure where to begin.
🧠 In this episode, we cover:
How to talk about mental health without fear or judgment
Warning signs of depression and suicidal ideation
What actually helps when someone is struggling
How humor can open the door to healing
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone—and this conversation could make a difference. 👉 If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe, and share. You never know who might need to hear it.
📌 If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, please reach out to local emergency services or call/text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Connect with Frank- https://mentalhealthcomedian.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theMentalHealthComedian/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOTSdhj3ny4
Monday Jan 05, 2026
Monday Jan 05, 2026
In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we are joined by Carol McColl, an ocular melanoma patient of more than seven years, who offers a powerful and deeply human perspective on collective grief and collective hope.
Carol shares how community and connection play a vital role in navigating the grief and loss that often accompany an OM diagnosis. Through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and mutual support, patients can find purpose, develop resilience, and cultivate hope—even on the most difficult days.
As you listen, we invite you to reflect and engage: share an inspiring quote, a favorite book, or a song that brings you comfort and light when things feel heavy. Together, these small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference.
As Carol beautifully reminds us: “Meaning fuels hope, and hope fuels strength and courage, which fuels resilience and perseverance.”
Tune in and be part of this conversation about hope, healing, and the power of community.
Carol's Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/carol.g.mccoll
Drippy The Sad Raincloud: https://abjustforyou.com/product/gwyn-morgan-the-tale-of-the-sad-rain-cloud/
Other great book we recommend-
Mans Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl- https://amzn.to/3L073cL
Try Softer by Aundi Kobler- https://amzn.to/4bg6J43
Strong Like Water by Aundi Kobler- https://amzn.to/4aGTVnf
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzaro- https://amzn.to/4qffujO
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
In this powerful episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Megan Morelli, who shares the story of her mother, Tami Sulistyo, an ocular melanoma patient whose legacy continues to inspire meaningful change.
Following Tami’s passing, Megan and her family found purposeful ways to honor her life, strength, and impact—including the creation of the Tami Sulistyo Memorial Research Grant. Through this grant, Tami’s legacy lives on by supporting vital ocular melanoma research and helping move the field forward.
In this conversation, Megan discusses:
How her family transformed grief into action
What it means to create a memorial research grant
Practical and impactful ways individuals and families can honor loved ones while advancing medical research
Whether you’re seeking inspiration, guidance on making a difference, or ways to honor someone you love, this episode offers heartfelt insight and hope.
👉 Learn more about the Tami Sulistyo Memorial Research Grant and how you can make an impact: https://give.arvofoundation.org/e/B90Oaw?vid=1nw87v
💙 Thank you for supporting ocular melanoma research and the Eye Believe Podcast.
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
🎙️ Steps For Sight 2026 with Kristen MacDonald | The Eye Believe Podcast
In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re talking all about Steps For Sight 2026, A Cure In Sight’s annual fundraiser supporting the ocular melanoma community and funding research toward a cure.
Steps For Sight runs January 1–31, and participants commit to walking 7,000 steps a day to honor the 7,000 people diagnosed with ocular melanoma each year.
Hosts Danet and Megan are joined by ocular melanoma patient Kristen MacDonald, founder of KMac Fights Back—the top fundraising team year after year. Kristen shares why she participates in Steps For Sight, how she successfully grows her team, and why this challenge is so important to the OM community and advancing research.
🚨 Registration opens TODAY (12/21)!
👉 Sign up now and download the Charity Footprints app to track your steps: https://www.charityfootprints.com/stepsforsight/
✨ Whether you’re a patient, survivor, caregiver, or supporter, this episode will inspire you to move with purpose and help step us closer to a cure.
🔔 Subscribe, 👍 like, and 💬 comment to support the OM community and stay connected with A Cure In Sight.
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
In this inspiring episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we welcome author and advocate Rachel Sindaco, whose journey through Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Ocular Melanoma (OM) reshaped her life in unimaginable ways—and ultimately saved it.
Rachel maintains a remarkable positive outlook, openly sharing how she considers herself lucky to have MS. It was her MS diagnosis that led to increased medical monitoring, allowing her ocular melanoma to be caught early—a discovery that may have saved her life. Without MS, Rachel believes her cancer might have gone undetected until it was too late.
Her book, From a Kick in the Head to a Kick in the Ass: My Involuntary Journey with Multiple Sclerosis and Ocular Melanoma, is a candid, often humorous, and deeply moving memoir about navigating serious illness, reframing adversity, and finding gratitude in the most unexpected places.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that perspective matters, early detection saves lives, and even the hardest diagnoses can carry unexpected gifts.
📘 Order Rachel’s book now to receive your copy by Christmas! Support the podcast by purchasing through our Amazon affiliate link: 👉 https://amzn.to/44un94Q
Shop the ACIS affiliate store- https://acureinsight.org/shop/amazon-affiliate-products/
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
👁️ Eye on COOG – Special Eye Believe Mini-Seminar (Recording)
📅 Recorded on December 6, 2025
🔗 Learn more or register for future events: https://www.acureinsight.org/education-events
If you missed the live session — or want to watch it again — you're in the right place!
This recorded webinar breaks down the latest updates from COOG 2 uveal melanoma studies and explains what they mean for GEP results, PRAME status, and mutation testing.
Our expert speakers guide patients and caregivers through understanding eye tumor biopsy reports in a clear, supportive way.
🌟 Featured Speakers Kat Alsina – Castle Biosciences
Dr. Amy Schefler
Dr. Basil Williams
🎤 Hosted by Danet Peterson
💙 Presented by Castle Biosciences
🤝 Sponsored by Immunocore • Aura • Delcath • IDEAYA Biosciences
✨ Watch, learn, and empower yourself with knowledge about your uveal melanoma journey.
✨ Feel free to share this resource with others who may benefit.
#EyeOnCOOG #EyeBelieve #UvealMelanoma #AcureInsight #CastleBiosciences #OcularOncology #COOG2 #PRAME #GEP #MutationTesting #PatientEducation
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Welcome to Session 1 of the Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar 2025!
This 8:00 AM session features renowned ocular oncologist Dr. MATERIN (Duke Health) as he presents “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow in Ocular Melanoma.”
In this powerful opening session, Dr. Materin walks attendees through:
🔹 The history and evolution of ocular melanoma care
🔹 Current diagnostic tools, treatments, and patient management approaches
🔹 What’s ahead in research, technology, and survivorship support
🔹 How patients, caregivers, and advocates can navigate their journey with greater confidence
This presentation is part of A Cure In Sight’s Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar 2025, a full-day event bringing together experts, survivors, caregivers, and advocates to empower the ocular melanoma community with knowledge, resources, and hope.
About the Speaker – Dr. MATERIN Dr. MATERIN is a leading specialist in ocular oncology at Duke Health, recognized for his expertise in ocular melanoma diagnosis, treatment, and long-term patient care. His commitment to innovation and compassionate medicine has had a profound impact on the OM community.
About A Cure In Sight A Cure In Sight (ACIS) is dedicated to supporting those affected by ocular melanoma through education, patient services, advocacy, and funding research aimed at improving outcomes and finding a cure. Learn more or get involved: https://acureinsight.org