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Wendy K.D. Selig, Renowned Cancer Advocate, Named President and CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance
Washington, DC, November 30, 2009 –The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) today announced that Wendy K.D. Selig has joined the organization as President and Chief Executive Officer. She comes to the MRA from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) where she most recently has led efforts to build alliances with traditional and non-traditional partners as its Vice President of External Affairs & Strategic Alliances.
"Wendy has demonstrated to the cancer community that independent disciplines and sectors and institutions can work together toward the shared goal of improving the lives of cancer patients," said Debra Black, Co-Founder and Chair of the MRA Board of Directors. "Her ability to forge strategic collaborations and pave the way to tangible outcomes is key to advancing the mission of the MRA."
Founded in 2007, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) is committed to accelerating the pace of scientific discovery and its translation into effective options for patients in order to eliminate suffering and death due to melanoma. More than 132,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed per year globally. In the U.S., 68,000 Americans will be diagnosed and more than 8,000 will die of the disease this year. If caught early, it can be treated successfully with surgery; however, patients with later stage metastatic disease have less than 15% chance of surviving five years. MRA funds research worldwide to better prevent, diagnose and treat melanoma.
"For nearly a decade, I have worked to bring cancer researchers, clinicians, and advocates together to accelerate the fight against cancer through public policy change," said Ms. Selig. "I am delighted to build on my experience in helping to establish partnerships within the oncology community, by joining an organization dedicated to transforming melanoma research and leading the way to improved outcomes for all cancer patients."
During her tenure with the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN, Ms. Selig held a variety of leadership positions, including serving as the organization's senior lobbyist and its Vice President for Legislative Affairs. She has chaired One Voice Against Cancer and United for Medical Research, collaborations aimed at enhancing the federal government's commitment to biomedical research and programs to prevent and treat cancer. Prior to ACS CAN, she spent nearly 12 years as a senior Congressional staffer. Ms. Selig is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Princeton University and holds a Masters in Science in Journalism degree (With Distinction) from Northwestern University. She currently serves as an appointed member of the National Cancer Institute's Director's Consumer Liaison Group.
About the Melanoma Research Alliance: The Melanoma Research Alliance is a public charity formed under the auspices of the Milken Institute, with the initial generous founding support of Debra and Leon Black. It supports an international, cross-disciplinary group of biomedical researchers possessing clinical and scientific expertise to explore, identify, and pursue innovative solutions to critical research issues leading to better treatments and a cure for patients with melanoma. For more information, please visit: www.melanomaresearchalliance.org.