About Tara Miller

Tara Miller, Esq.'s cancer journey began at the Abramson Cancer Center when she was diagnosed with stage III melanoma at the age of 28. Despite the seriousness of her diagnosis and a challenging 15 months of treatment, Tara never wavered from the fundamental values underlying her personality: her sense of humor and her tendency to think of others before herself. 

In her time at Penn Medicine, Tara became a passionate advocate for melanoma patients, inspiring those around her through her unimaginable strength and positivity, while clearly articulating the importance of funding innovative melanoma research. A few months before she passed away in October 2014, Tara founded the Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation (TMMF), which has since raised more than $3 million in vital research funding for the Abramson Cancer Center.

Now, thanks to a generous gift from Tara's parents George and Debbie, the Abramson Cancer Center has established the Tara Miller Melanoma Center (TMMC) in testament to Tara's passion, vision and voice. Bringing together resources from across Penn Medicine, the TMMC supports critical translational research, clinical initiatives, and patient education and outreach opportunities. These crucial resources enable the Center to pilot novel ideas and propel new treatments in to cures for melanoma patients worldwide.

"Tara left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege to know her, and now the research being done in her name will have lasting effects for patients far into the future," promises the TMMC's Director, Lynn M. Schuchter, MD. "We feel honored and inspired that Tara will forever be a part of our efforts to cure melanoma."