In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Wendy Carpenter, a metastatic ocular melanoma patient who is currently NED (No Evidence of Disease).

Wendy shares her personal experience using ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) testing as part of her ongoing surveillance and care. She discusses how this blood-based testing helps monitor disease activity, informs conversations with her medical team, and provides another tool for navigating life after treatment.

In this conversation, Wendy opens up about:

This episode offers a patient-centered perspective on an evolving area of cancer care and highlights how new technologies are helping empower patients in their journeys.

🎧 Tune in for an honest and hopeful conversation about survivorship, monitoring, and living beyond metastatic ocular melanoma. 💙

Episode 8: Grief, Survivor’s Guilt & Finding Joy Again

Grief after cancer isn’t always visible.

In Episode 8 of My 15 Years, Melody opens up about the many forms of grief that followed her ocular melanoma diagnosis — the loss of who she was before cancer, the loss of certainty about the future, and the loss of relationships that changed along the way.

She also speaks honestly about survivor’s guilt and the emotional complexity of moving forward while watching others in the cancer community face difficult outcomes.

Through reflection and lived experience, Melody shares how she has learned to cope with these feelings over the past 15 years, and the perspective that has helped her continue healing.

But this episode also ends with hope.

Melody reflects on what brings her joy today — the connections, friendships, and support she has found within the ocular melanoma community. What once began in isolation eventually became a source of deep purpose, belonging, and love.

This episode is for anyone carrying grief, navigating survivorship, or searching for light after loss.

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 patient support: https://acureinsight.org/donate/

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, Transforming Patient Care in the West, we’re joined by Dr. Inderjit Mehmi from The Angeles Clinic.

Dr. Mehmi shares insight into how care for ocular melanoma patients is evolving, including both standard of care treatments and the clinical trials currently available at his institution.

He discusses how these options can provide patients with access to emerging therapies while continuing to deliver high-quality, individualized care.

📍 Contact Information for Dr. Mehmi

📧 [email protected]

📞 310-231-2176

This episode offers valuable perspective for patients and caregivers looking to better understand their options and the future of ocular melanoma care.

🎧 Tune in to learn how innovation and access are helping shape treatment pathways in the western United States. 💙

In this episode of Living in the Long Middle, part of the Eye Believe Podcast, we share Outliving the Statistics: A Story About Survivor’s Gratitude with Katie Doble.

Katie is a metastatic ocular melanoma patient who is now NED (No Evidence of Disease) following TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte) therapy—a reality that brings both hope and complexity. In this deeply honest conversation, Katie opens up about what it means to live in the “long middle” after outliving expectations.

She shares her experience with:

Survivor’s gratitude and the weight it can carry

Survivor’s grief for others in the OM community

The emotional complexity of doing well while others are not

How her perspective on life, hope, and uncertainty has evolved

This episode reflects the heart of Living in the Long Middle—holding space for both joy and grief, hope and heartbreak, all at the same time.

Article from Huffpost: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/doctor-cancer-clinical-trials-advocacy_n_646515dbe4b0bfd6447f88df

Katie's Blog: https://futurehappyself.com/

UPMC Blog post: https://hillman.upmc.com/cancer-care/melanoma-skin/patient-stories/katie-doble

Katie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceortman/

🎧 Tune in for a powerful and moving conversation about resilience, perspective, and what it truly means to outlive the statistics. 💙

In Episode 7 of our special 15-year series, Melody opens up about an often overlooked but essential part of the cancer journey—mental health.

From breaking the stigma around therapy in the cancer community to recognizing when you’re ready for something more, this conversation is honest, validating, and deeply needed. Melody reflects on how perspectives around therapy have evolved over the years and shares how seeking support can be a powerful step forward—not a sign of weakness.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, years into survivorship, or supporting someone you love, this episode is a reminder that caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health.

🎥 Watch now and be part of the conversation.

💙 Support our mission: https://acureinsight.org/donate/

💬 Join our support group: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/780974096#success

Rare Cancer. Resilient Hope. Revolutionary Research.

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Brianne Ward and Bev Shaw, two ocular melanoma patients from Canada whose connection turned into something truly powerful.

After first meeting online, Brianne and Bev later found themselves as roommates during treatment—a full-circle moment that strengthened their bond and helped them navigate one of the most challenging parts of their journey together.

In this heartfelt conversation, they share:

-How they first connected within the OM community

-What it was like to go through treatment side by side

-How their friendship helped them prepare for and get through difficult moments

-Why having a support person—or “treatment buddy”—can make such a difference

Their story is a powerful reminder that connection matters, and that no one has to go through this journey alone. We hope this episode inspires you to reach out, find your people, and lean on the strength of community. 💙

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, host Danet Peterson sits down with Kelly Mellott, Senior Manager of Patient Engagement at Natera, breast cancer survivor, and passionate patient advocate, to explore the evolving role of ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) in cancer care—especially for those living with rare cancers.

Together, they discuss how tools like ctDNA testing can help patients and providers better understand what’s happening in the body.

Kelly brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this discussion, offering a thoughtful perspective on how innovation, advocacy, and patient voice intersect in modern cancer care.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or advocate, this episode provides insight into a rapidly evolving area of oncology—and what it could mean for the future of monitoring and treatment.

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, we’re joined by Lindsay Brown and Lucy Innes, two incredible members of the ocular melanoma community who have each turned their diagnosis into purpose.

With very different but equally inspiring paths, Lindsay has become a motivational speaker, while Lucy is pursuing a PhD focused on uveal melanoma research. Together, they share how their experiences shaped their careers and how they’ve found direction, meaning, and impact through their journeys.

This conversation explores:

What it means to give your diagnosis direction

Finding purpose after diagnosis

Turning challenges into meaningful work

Using your voice and experience to make a difference

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, this episode is a powerful reminder that there are many ways to move forward—with purpose.

We also want to honor the life and legacy of Lindsay Brown, whose voice, strength, and advocacy continue to inspire the ocular melanoma community. We are grateful to have shared this conversation with her.

🔗 Watch more from Lindsay:

-Enucleation 101:

https://youtu.be/zSX19c3jFsA

-Being on the Receiving End of Medical Care: https://youtu.be/hkfRxJOeeos

🔗 Watch more from Lucy:

-How Immunotherapy Works: https://youtu.be/phNDuHVCzng

-Eye Believe 2023 – Seattle Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmNN38QAmj1aq1V1e6d4e8jDbdE4iFI8S

In this episode of the Eye Believe Podcast, Danet sits down with Kyleigh LiPira from the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) and CURE OM to discuss advocacy, education, and community in the ocular melanoma space.

Kyleigh shares insights into the work being done to support patients and caregivers, advance research, and create meaningful connections within the OM community. This conversation highlights the importance of staying informed, getting involved, and finding support throughout the cancer journey.

📢 Register Now: 15th Annual Eyes on a Cure Symposium

We’re excited to share that registration is now open for the 15th Annual Eyes on a Cure: Ocular Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium, taking place April 17–19, 2026, in Miami, Florida.

Held in partnership with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, this three-day event brings together patients, caregivers, and leading experts for:

-Education on primary and metastatic ocular melanoma

-Supportive care and psychosocial wellbeing sessions

-Opportunities for connection, community, and fun

🔗 Register today: melanomaevents.org/events/details/melanoma-research-foundation-melanoma-research-foundation-presents-2026-eyes-on-a-cure-ocular-melanoma-patient-amp-caregiver-symposium/

We hope to see you in Miami for this inspiring weekend dedicated to education, support, and community! 💙

What’s Up, Doc? Featuring Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya | The Eye Believe Podcast

Welcome to What’s Up, Doc?—a new series from A Cure In Sight where we sit down with ocular melanoma (OM) specialists from around the world to get to know the people behind the medicine.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Prithvi Mruthyunjaya of the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University.

Dr. Mruthyunjaya shares his journey into medicine, what led him to specialize in ocular oncology, and his approach to caring for patients with ocular melanoma.

This conversation goes beyond the clinic—offering insight into who he is, how he connects with patients, and what drives his work in this rare cancer space. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or simply looking to learn more, this series is designed to help you feel more informed and connected to the experts in the OM community.

Thank you to our sponsors for making this possible!

-Ideaya Biosciences

-Delcath Systems

-Aura Biosciences

-Castle Biosciences

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date on future episodes.

About A Cure In Sight-

A Cure In Sight is dedicated to accelerating research, supporting patients, and raising awareness for ocular melanoma.

💙 Learn more: https://acureinsight.org/

💙 Support our mission: https://acureinsight.org/donate/

💙 Join our support group: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/780974096#success