2025 Advocacy Days

Mar 2, 11:00 PM – Mar 4, 8:00 PM (UTC)

Melanoma Research Foundation

Join melanoma patients, caregivers, supporters and advocates from across the country on March 2-4, 2025, in Washington, DC to learn about issues facing the melanoma community, our community's key legislative priorities and then share your story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

*Note: The above event time is automatically displayed in your current timezone.

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About this event


Welcome to the annual Advocacy Days in Washington, DC! 

Join melanoma patients, caregivers, supporters and advocates from across the country on March 2-4, 2025, in Washington, DC to learn about issues facing the melanoma community, our community’s key legislative priorities and then share your story with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Click Get Tickets above to register to join us in our nation's capital to be the voice of the melanoma community!


Travel Scholarships

Travel scholarship applications for 2025 Advocacy Days are closed. Please contact advocacy@melanoma.org for more information. 


Tentative 2025 Sessions

CDMRP
Sunscreen Filters
FDA Approval Process
Landscape of 119th Congress

When

When

March 2 – 4, 2025
11:00 PM – 8:00 PM (UTC)

Agenda

11:00 PMWelcome Reception

FAQs

If you are visiting Washington, DC for the first time below we have provided some information for hotel options, transportation, and parking for the event.

Hotel Options

The Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill (525 New Jersey Avenue) currently has rooms available for the days of the event. Additional hotel options within walking distance from the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill include:

YOTEL Washington DC (415 New Jersey Ave NW) – 3-minute walk

Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave NW) – 3-minute walk

Kimpton George Hotel (15 E St NW) – 3-minute walk

The Royal Sonesta Washington DC, Capitol Hill (20 Massachusetts Ave NW) – 5-minute walk

Parking

Hotel Parking: The hotel offers on-site valet parking for an additional fee. Contact the hotel directly for current rates and availability.

Street Parking: Street parking is available in the area surrounding the hotel, but be aware of the hours of operation, restrictions and fees. Make sure to check the signs before leaving your car.

Public Garages: There are several public parking garages located near the hotel, such as the Colonial Parking Garages. These garages offer hourly or daily rates and may be more convenient than street parking.

Transportation

From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): o Driving: ~10-15 mins, 5 miles via George Washington Parkway (North) o Metro: Blue Line (~45 mins, $3.10) or Yellow Line (~45 mins, $3.10) o Taxi/Uber/Lyft: ~10-15 mins, $15-$40

From Dulles International Airport (IAD): o Driving: ~45-70 mins, 32 miles via the Dulles Access Road o Metro: Silver Line (~81 mins, $6.75) o Taxi/Uber/Lyft: ~45-70 mins, $55-$73

From Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI): o Driving: ~40-60 mins, 37.5 miles via I-195 W o Taxi/Uber/Lyft: ~40-60 mins, $65-$200

From Union Station: o Driving: ~5 mins. o Walking: ~7 mins

Metro

Please refer to the map below to better understand the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro system. You can also use the Trip Planner to see potential route options.

Metro Cards: Get a SmarTrip card online, at metro stations, or via the SmarTrip app/Apple Wallet/Google Pay.

1-Day Unlimited Pass: $13.50, 3-Day Unlimited Pass: $33.75.

Things to Do in DC

For those arriving early or having extra time to explore Washington, D.C. offers a myriad of activities. Here’s a guide to activity options for visitors to make the most of their time in the nation's capital:

Smithsonian Museums

Visit any of the 19 Smithsonian museums and galleries, including the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History. Best part? They’re all free!

Tea Around Town

Discover Washington, DC in style with Tea Around Town! The charming double-decker floral buses offers breathtaking views, fine teas, delectable treats, and live entertainment.

National Mall

Explore the expansive park that stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the United States Capitol. Don’t miss iconic landmarks like the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Reflecting Pool.

Catch a Show

Enjoy world-class performances at one the many theaters housed in DC including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Folger Theater, or Warner Theater. Alternatively, visit the historic Ford’s Theater, where President Lincoln was tragically shot.

U.S. Botanic Garden

Take a stroll and witness over 44,000 plants in this vibrant, green oasis. See the new U.S. Botanic Garden Exhibit Spotlights “Fierce Flora” where you can test your reflexes to see if you can move faster than a Venus flytrap.

The People's House

Created by the White House Historical Association, this new educational museum opened on September 23, 2024. Located just one block from the White House at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the 33,000-square-foot three-floor site features exhibits and galleries that bring the White House and its storied history to life. Visitors can interact with a large-scale White House model, a recreation of the Rose Garden, a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, and more.

Host

  • Kim Watkins

    MRF

    Director of Advocacy

Facilitator

  • Kyleigh LiPira

    Melanoma Research Foundation

    CEO

Panelists

  • Karen Kaludov, PhD

    Stratalys Research

    Principal

  • Vito Rebecca, PhD

    The Johns Hopkins University

    Assistant Professor

  • Shawn Maree Bishop

    Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

    Senior Advisor

  • Victoria Knight

    Axios

    Health Care Policy Reporter

  • Ed Pagano, JD

    Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

    Partner

  • Former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)

    Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

    Senior Policy Director

Organizer

  • Jonelle Daley

    Programmatic Logistics Coordinator

Silver Sponsor

Merck logo

Merck

Iovance logo

Iovance

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