Each year our family and friends head to Newcastle to participate in the Melanoma March to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for this hideous disease. 

 

Melanoma is often referred to as Australia’s National Cancer.  More than 14,000 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year and someone in Australia dies from melanoma every 5 hours. It is the most common cancer in young Australians (15–39 year olds) and kills more young Australians (20-39 year olds) than any other single cancer. At present, although they are making real progress, there is no cure.

 

This disease has impacted our family, affecting Toni, her sister Tracy and Grandmother Edith.

 

Toni was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2007 with a small melanoma on her back which had spread to some of her lymph nodes. This resulted in two surgeries and visits to the Melanoma Institute at RPA every six months – all clear for 9 years. In May 2016 after a routine CT Scan they found a large melanoma on her liver which resulted in a liver resection at RPA. In November 2017 another melanoma was found on her liver, so another 10 days in Sydney and another liver surgery. After 2 liver surgeries in 2 years we are hoping there will be no more.