FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PALO ALTO, Calif. — A Cure In Sight (ACIS) proudly celebrated the tremendous success of its 2026 Palo Alto Lookin’ for a Cure 5K, welcoming a record-breaking 513 registered participants and raising more than $25,000 to support ocular melanoma patient programs, education, advocacy, and critical research.
Hosted at the Stanford Byers Eye Institute and supported by the Alan Adler Center for Ophthalmic Oncology, this year’s event brought together patients, survivors, caregivers, physicians, researchers, families, and community members united by a common goal: creating a future without ocular melanoma.
The event demonstrated the strength of the ocular melanoma community, with more than 230 participants returning from last year’s race and many new families joining the movement to support those affected by this rare eye cancer.
One of the most inspiring moments of the morning came as 15 ocular melanoma survivors were recognized with special Survivorship Medals, honoring their courage, resilience, and determination. The recognition served as a powerful reminder of why continued research and patient support remain so important.
Participants also heard from ocular melanoma patient Randy Height, who shared his inspiring journey living with metastatic disease. Height spoke about how participation in a clinical trial has given him more than five years since his metastatic diagnosis, offering hope to patients and families facing similar challenges while highlighting the life-changing impact of continued research and clinical trial participation.
Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya of the Stanford Byers Eye Institute addressed participants, emphasizing the critical importance of routine dilated eye examinations in detecting ocular melanoma at its earliest stages. He also reflected on the more than decade-long partnership between Stanford and A Cure In Sight and the history of the Palo Alto Lookin’ for a Cure 5K, which has brought the community together annually since 2018 to advance awareness, research, and patient support.
Participants of all ages ran, walked, volunteered, and cheered in support of those affected by ocular melanoma. The event also featured family-friendly activities, raffle prizes, games, refreshments, and opportunities for participants to connect with others impacted by the disease.
“We are incredibly grateful to every participant, volunteer, donor, sponsor, and partner who helped make this our largest Palo Alto event to date,” said Melody Burchett, President of A Cure In Sight. “Seeing more than 500 people come together in support of the ocular melanoma community is inspiring. Every person who participated helped bring hope to patients and families while advancing research that will improve outcomes for future generations.”
A Cure In Sight extends its sincere appreciation to its exceptional hosts, the Stanford Byers Eye Institute and the Alan Adler Center for Ophthalmic Oncology, for their continued partnership and unwavering commitment to advancing patient care and ocular melanoma research.
The organization also recognizes the generous support of presenting sponsors IDEAYA Biosciences and KELÓS Therapeutics, whose partnership helped make the event possible.
Funds raised through the Lookin’ for a Cure 5K will directly support A Cure In Sight’s mission to improve the lives of individuals affected by ocular melanoma through patient education, financial assistance, advocacy initiatives, innovative research programs, the Insight Registry, the Insight Biobank, and global collaboration.
Ocular melanoma, also known as uveal melanoma, is the most common primary eye cancer in adults, yet it remains a rare disease affecting approximately 2,000 to 2,500 people in the United States each year. Despite successful treatment of the primary eye tumor, nearly half of patients will eventually develop metastatic disease, highlighting the urgent need for continued research, improved therapies, and greater awareness.
Race photos are now available on the event website, allowing participants to relive the memorable day and celebrate their accomplishments with family, friends, and teammates.
Planning is already underway for next year’s Lookin’ for a Cure 5K as A Cure In Sight continues its mission of bringing communities together to create hope, accelerate research, and improve the lives of ocular melanoma patients around the world.
About A Cure In Sight
A Cure In Sight (ACIS) is the world’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to ocular melanoma patient support, education, advocacy, and research. Through innovative programs including the Insight Registry, the Insight Biobank, financial assistance, educational webinars, support groups, and community fundraising events, ACIS is transforming the landscape of ocular melanoma care while accelerating research toward better treatments—and ultimately, a cure.
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