Can you help patients who have a rare form of cancer, mucosal melanoma?

At just 20 years old, Cooper Payne is carrying forward a mission shaped by personal loss and fueled by compassion. A college sophomore, he has devoted himself to raising awareness of mucosal melanoma, a rare aggressive cancer and to helping ease the financial burdens faced by patients in the fight.

As the third anniversary of his mother’s passing approached, Cooper reflected on her struggle and the challenges his family endured. He asked himself a simple but profound question: “What can I do to help others who are walking the same difficult path?”

The answer became a campaign both deeply personal and publicly impactful. To honor his mother’s memory and shine a light on this little known disease, Cooper launched the “100 Push Ups a Day Challenge.” Each day, leading up to December 12, the day his mother passed away, he records himself completing 100 push-ups and shares the video on social media. With every post, he adds a message about mucosal melanoma, educating his audience and encouraging support for those affected.

Cooper’s connection to this cause began when he was just twelve years old, the age at which his mother was first diagnosed. He witnessed firsthand the toll the disease takes on both patients and families. Because mucosal melanoma is so rare and aggressive, his mother traveled from South Carolina to MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, for treatment. Over six years, she traveled back and forth many times. Where she endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, several immunotherapies, and even clinical trials. Her stays in Texas ranged from a few days to as long as twelve weeks at a time.

Now, through strength, persistence, and vulnerability, Cooper transforms his grief into action. His daily challenge is more than exercise, it is a living tribute to his mother and a call to others to join him in bringing hope, awareness, and support to those battling mucosal melanoma. Can you help by making a donation? Cooper will give all money raised to help a patient of mucosal melanoma.

Thank you!