Melanoma is Australia’s cancer. One person is diagnosed every 30 minutes. That’s 16,380 people a year. It is the most common cancer in 20-39 year olds. 95% are caused from UV exposure to the sun. And in your lifetime 2 in 3 people will have skin cancer.

I am a stage 4 Melanoma warrior. What was a mole which was initially thought to be precancerous was a Melanoma. For me, mine was never meant to come back. But 8 years later it came back. Since then I’ve done immunotherapy (nivo), pancreas biopsies (when it was thought it had come back there), suffered a severe bout of hepatic liver with no alcohol involved, lung surgery and double immunotherapy (ipi and nivo). I’ve had every side effect imaginable, including arthritis and my pancreas no longer works properly I take medication to eat and can’t have any fatty food, Pinots or gin (or any alcohol). I’m exceptionally grateful though to have a lot of support along this road from family and friends, I don’t walk it alone and I couldn’t do it without my Mum, Amy and Victoria. I keep them on their toes. 

All this is from a mole. Yet in Australia we continue to tan, glamorise tanning, burn lines, beach time and fail to properly protect ourselves. Think of how many schools, sports, etc. don’t even have adequate sun policies in place. If UV is 3 or above even on cloudy days - sun protection is a must (if you’re fair skinned you may need sun protection under UV 3). Seek shade, wear sun protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses and SPF 50+ every 2 hours. You can check if your sunscreen is legit or cosmetic on the TGA checker. In the hottest part of the day simply avoid being in UV. 

The Melanoma Institute who I fundraised for in 2016 have pushed hard on working towards zero melanoma deaths in 2030 by advocating sun safety and progressive immunotherapy treatments that are now on PBS. Treatments that killed my metastatic Melanoma after I lit up my PET scan like a Christmas tree. Hearing Professor Richard Scolyer and Professor Georgina Long’s 2024 Australian of the Year award last year was so well deserved because before these progressive treatments Melanoma patients had little hope. It wasn’t just an award for them but all the Melanoma patients, carers and medical staff. It takes exceptional people to do what they do in this field.

This year I’m healthy enough to walk Melanoma March and hopefully my little guy Mr Atlas will join me. 

Cost of living is tight but if you can donate even your once a week coffee this money honestly saves lives, gives Melanoma patients hope and goes towards zero Melanoma deaths in 2030. And please please stop glamorising tanning it’s literally your skin cells in trauma x