Media clip: 1000th Melbourne Melanoma Project patient
A RECORD 1000 Victorians have donated tissue to help the state’s leading skin cancer researchers find better treatments for the killer disease.
The Melbourne Melanoma Project, which banks melanoma tissue samples for patients is now one of the biggest of its kind in the world.
Jason Nielsen, 44, became the 1000th person to donate skin last week.
Peter MacCallum melanoma expert Associate Prof Grant McArthur said it was an extraordinary achievement.
‘‘It’s quite an achievement of generosity from Victorians,’’ he said.
Mr Nielsen had a mole cut out of his hip after his wife nagged him to get it checked. A big area of tissue was removed and surgery was needed to remove the cancer from his lymph nodes.
He decided to donate the tissue to help others.
‘‘It was a bit of a shock when the pathology tests came back and it was melanoma,’’ the aircraft maintenance engineer said.
‘‘I’ve got two children, both with fair skin, so anything I can do to assist with future research I am happy to do.’’
Information from donors reveals 8 per cent had used solariums, 52 per cent recalled being sunburnt, almost half had blue eyes and 55 per cent had red, blonde or light brown hair.
Associate Prof McArthur said the tissue samples were being used in different research projects to better understand the disease and develop new treatments.
