Melanoma Awareness Day at The Entrance NSW on Saturday 3rd November
NOT that long ago, melanoma was a death sentence with few, if any, treatment options available.
Today thanks to research and medical breakthroughs, there are many options available and survival rates – if detected early enough – are up around 90 per cent.
Detection is the key and Jay Allen, community co-ordinator with the Australian Melanoma Institute and a melanoma survivor, has dedicated his life to getting that message out into the community.
He and members of the Central Coast Melanoma Support Group are staging a melanoma awareness day at The Entrance on November 3 between 8am and 3pm.
Volunteers will be handing out information and survivors will be on hand to chat to interested people.
“We want to let people know you can have treatment and there are options and who knows, one day there might be a cure," Mr Allen said.
Founding member of the coast support group, Jenny Thulborn, has just been given the all-clear after having a melanoma removed from her brain.
Her cancer was stage four.
She also had tumours in her lungs and agreed to go on a new trial.
“It’s great news and one of the reasons support groups can be so beneficial because stories like Jenny’s provide so much hope for many and shows a diagnosis of stage four melanoma is not a death sentence," Mr Allen said.
SUPPORT GROUP
The Central Coast Melanoma Support Group meets on the third Saturday of each month at The Entrance North Surf Club between 10am and noon. All welcome.
Details: 0430 933 012.
JOIN THE MARCH
A melanoma march will be held next March on the coast to walk in honour of those that have passed, those who are fighting and those who have survived melanoma.
The aim is to raise awareness and funds for a cure.
Anyone wanting to get involved or wanting to sponsor walkers can contact Mr Allen on 0430 933 012.
NBN News Coverage
Melanoma is one of Australia’s most common types of cancer, and while there may be no cure, early detection saves thousands of lives every year. As part of Melanoma Awareness Day, survivors have pleaded with Central Coast locals to cover up and get checked.
Please view NBN’s Online video Melanoama Awareness Day.