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Meet Our Team

Melody Burchett
Melody BurchettPresident
Melody is the founder and President of ACIS. After her diagnosis of OM, she sought to change the landscape of OM. With awareness products and financial aid for patients, ACIS was doing what no other non profit has done for OM. During her 8 years as an OM patient, she has used her background in Sales, Marketing and Design to move ACIS into a leader of the OM community.
Diagnosis Date: 12/2010
Suzanne Lescure
Suzanne LescureBoard Member
Suzanne is a 13 year conjunctival melanoma patient that was diagnosed as stage 4. Suzanne is a patient advocate proving that OM is not a death sentence. Suzanne uses her skills as a patient, mother, wife and friend to help patients navigate their OM diagnosis. Suzanne leads our Cure Companion team as well as the Chair of the Swing For Sight Golf Tournament.
Diagnosis Date: 09/2003
Marlene Day
Marlene DaySecretary
Marlene was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma at age 46 August 2004. Currently 15 years survivor No Evidence of Disease she lives with her husband Bill, in North Carolina. Marlene brings her experience with working for a non profit to the ACIS team.
Diagnosis Date: 08/2004
Loren Seaman
Loren Seaman
Loren was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma in her left eye on 11/10/01. In 2009, her left eye underwent cataract surgery. In June 2017, Loren suffered an Ischemic Optic Stroke in her right eye, which was her healthy eye, and since this time she has been receiving treatments to that eye. Since January 2018 Loren has been suffering from severe Macular Edema (bleeding in both eyes). She is at the oncologist every two weeks for treatments to both eyes and also suffers from Ocular Hypertension. Loren is battling to save her vision.

Since January 2019 Loren has been honored to have the opportunity to be Volunteer Director of Advocacy for A Cure in Sight.
Diagnosis Date: 10/2001

Tania Yaich Herfurth
Tania Yaich HerfurthVP, Product Development
Tania was a founding member of ACIS. Tania VP of Development and was responsible for our first awareness products and awareness campaigns.
Marla Avery
Marla AveryPatient Relations
Marla brought her own special touch to ACIS. Advocating for patients and spreading awareness everywhere she went. She was an OverComer and held that title until she passed.
Laurie (Lauren) Walters PhD
Laurie (Lauren) Walters PhD
Laurie brought much love and laughter to the Board of Directors for A Cure In Sight. Laurie had a love of education and fighting for the underdog. Laurie passed from COVID-19 on February 18, 2021. The Laurie Walters memorial fund has been set up in her honor to further Lauries visions.

Community advisory committee

Jack Odell

Jack Odell was diagnosed with OM in 2013. Since joining ACIS as Vice President in 2015, Jack has been instrumental in formulating new programs for ACIS with has opened doors directly to our nations top doctors and researchers for ocular melanoma. He has been a leader in changing the way ACIS research is funded and reported. Jack is a retired architect, bringing 35 years of construction contract administration, team building, and design to the ACIS team. Jack leads our special projects team. Jack has vetted our research proposals to demand accountability and the highest research outcome possible. Our research contracts now include “milestone reporting” before any funding is approved, allowing our projects to remain on track and on time. The Jack Odell and John Dagres Research fund has been set up to further research projects to accelerate research to find a cure for OM.

In Memory

Melanie Robertson

Melanie Robertson is a retired Registered Nurse whose daughter, Kady, was diagnosed with OM in Dec 2016, just days before her 30th birthday. Kady is treated by Dr Amy Schefler in Houston and Drs Orloff and Gonsalves in Philadelphia. She was diagnosed as stage 4 in January 2019. Since Kady’s diagnosis, Melanie has been an advocate for Kady in her treatments and journey with OM. Melanie is A Cure In Sight’s Volunteer Advocate in Texas. She is based in Beaumont, Texas and spends much of her time educating the public about OM and the importance of dilated eye exams for the early detection of OM.

Laurie (Lauren) Walters PhD

Laurie brought much love and laughter to the Board of Directors for A Cure In Sight. Laurie had a love of education and fighting for the underdog. Laurie passed from COVID-19 on February 18, 2021. The Laurie Walters memorial fund has been set up in her honor to further Lauries visions.

Our Medical Board

East Coast
PO Box 58113
Raleigh, NC 27658-8113
Tel: (919) 885-5264

West Coast
4225 Solano Ave
Napa  CA 94558
707-628-1253

Email: contact@acureinsight.org