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.

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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.

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/