“When the flashes of light and shadows in my vision started, I never imagined it would lead to a diagnosis of a rare eye cancer. I went from being told ‘there’s nothing to see here’ to hearing the words ‘aggressive cancer’ and ‘we’re going to have to take the eye’ in what felt like the blink of an eye,” says Melissa Little, Eye on Grace travel grant recipient.

There isn’t a roadmap for Ocular Melanoma. The information is confusing, the decisions are overwhelming, and treatment often means traveling hundreds of miles again and again, not just for surgery, but for scans every 3–6 months to watch for metastasis.

“That’s why the Eye on Grace Foundation has meant so much to me. They understand that this journey doesn’t end when your eye is removed or your first treatment is over. They step in to help with practical burdens like travel costs, lodging, and transportation, so patients like me can focus on getting to specialists and receiving the care we need. All you need to qualify is a diagnosis.

“Eye on Grace eases a huge financial and emotional weight at a time when everything feels uncertain. Their support is a blessing, and I am so grateful for the way they show up for Ocular Melanoma patients and families.”