Community march helps raise funds for critical research into melanoma treatment

VOLUNTEERS and community groups will walk to raise funds for research at the Ballina Melanoma March on Sunday, March 15.

The Northern NSW Local Health District records the highest rate of melanoma in the state, with Ballina among the hardest hit communities.

The march, supported by Melanoma Institute Australia, is a 4.4km family-friendly walk from Missingham Park to North Wall and back.

Local resident Nathan Henderson, who has experienced melanoma firsthand, will take part.

“I picked it up early in 2019. I just got a haircut, looked in the mirror, and noticed something on the left side of my face. I went to a specialist, and it came back as melanoma,” he said.

“At the time, I was going through a lot, I’d just lost my job and was dealing with cataracts in both eyes. It was a stressful time, but I got through it.

“I get my skin checked every four months because of the melanoma. I’ve had a few basal cell carcinomas removed from my arm and back, and a big one removed from my leg last year.

“No melanomas have come up since, but I keep a close eye on it.”

Henderson, 54, described himself as one of the lucky ones.

The Ballina march is held in memory of Mikayla Green, who died from melanoma in 2022 at 24.

“The Ballina March is a way to remember loved ones, like Mikayla. It’s a special event for the families,” he said.

“You just don’t realise it until it happens to you. Early detection really does save lives.”

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and Australia has the highest rates in the world, with one person diagnosed every 30 minutes and one death every six hours.

It is the most common cancer affecting Australians aged 20 to 39.

Less than a decade ago, advanced melanoma was often fatal, with patients rarely surviving more than a few months.

Treatment advances, including targeted drug therapies, immunotherapies and pre-surgery immunotherapy, have improved survival rates, with close to 60 per cent of advanced melanoma patients now living beyond the disease.

To register or donate, visit melanomamarch.org.au.