Gratitude for our Community Fundraisers!

Ruby’s chop for Mum

Ruby’s Mum, Cherie, battled melanoma for five tough years trying every possible treatment available. She was determined to beat the battle, and gave it her all, fighting so incredibly hard until she passed away on New Years Eve last year, with her beautiful family by her side. She was committed to helping those with melanoma and was a proud supporter of MIA, participating in the 2021 and 2022 Melanoma March – and was the highest fundraiser for both years! She marched in the hope for a cure for all those diagnosed & suffering. This year in their Mum’s honour, Ruby, her sister Holly, and family, took part in Melanoma March Coolangatta for Cherie, raising over $13,000!

Ruby decided to chop her hair to raise awareness & funds to continue her Mum’s mission of a cure for melanoma.

REVFIT 24hr Melanoma Marathon

Adam Brooks is a big supporter of our GAME ON MOLE campaign and once again hosted the annual REVFIT 24 hour Melanoma Marathon in Tamworth over the weekend of the 8 & 9 December. A huge number of participants were involved in the mammoth effort of keeping the gym equipment running for 24 hours. A huge thank you to all the local businesses and community members who rallied around Adam to make it another successful REVFIT Melanoma Marathon.

The Emily Effect Fundraiser

At just 28 years of age, Emily lost her battle with brain cancer in January of this year. Emily’s mum (Lee) and sister (Sarah) have been working tirelessly to keep Emily’s memory alive and raise as much funds as they can for brain cancer research. On the 22nd of October Emily’s family hosted “The Emily Effect” fundraiser at Sportswood hotel in Melbourne to help celebrate Emily’s 29th birthday. Emily left an unforgettable effect on many people, and her family has designed tshirts that showcase Emily’s tattoos, such as the butterfly that was the symbol of Emily’s cancer journey. This fundraiser raised over $9,000 for Melanoma Institute Australia, supporting melanoma research, which is underpinning MIA’s Prof Richard Scolyer’s experimental treatment for his glioblastoma. Thank you to Emily’s family for their incredible support.

Mary’s Fundraiser

When Mary turned 21, instead of receiving gifts for her birthday, she decided to shave her head and request donations for melanoma research. This selfless gesture was in honour of her father Phill, who sadly passed away from melanoma. Mary raised over $20,000 for Melanoma Institute Australia, an absolutely outstanding effort! Thank you to Mary and to all her supporters.

Remembering Liam fundraiser

On Thursday 30 November, the Cantarella family presented the Liam Cantarella Award of Courage to a student who showed courage & bravery at Camden Public School. This award was made in honour of Liam Cantarella, a student at the school who, on Christmas eve last year, sadly lost his battle with brain cancer at only 12 years of age. Liam’s father, Joe, organised a fundraiser to be held at the school, and with support from Woolworths Camden and Butchers Pantry at Kearns Shopping Centre, raised an amazing $1,600 towards furthering melanoma science, which is also underpinning Prof Richard Scolyer’s experimental treatment. Thank you to Joe and the Cantarella family, for your incredible support.

Run From The Sun – South

On Sunday 5 November, for the 7th year running, 81 riders & pillion passengers took off from Kingston in southern Tasmania for the ‘Run from the Sun’ Southern Ride. It was a scenic ride through the Channel and Huon areas, organised by melanoma survivor Ken Harriss. The day provides the opportunity for lovers of bike riding, and supporters in cars, to come together and enjoy a scenic ride whilst increasing awareness of melanoma and raising funds to support research so we can reach our goal of zero deaths from melanoma. This year around $1,500 was raised from the event.

Run from the Sun – North

On Sunday 26 November, around 85 riders from the Leisure Riders Tasmania motorbike club and supporters in cars, set off on a ride in picturesque north west Tasmania to raise awareness and funds for Melanoma Institute Australia Tasmania. The scenery was spectacular, and the hospitality was warm at both the Mole Creek Hotel and the Railton Hotel. Despite a wet forecast, the weather and riders stayed dry. Thanks to Ramona and Doug at Mole Creek Hotel, and Caroline and Phil at Railton Hotel for their hospitality. Huge thanks to ride organiser George Schynol (“Big George”) and his family – Brygida, Martin, Melissa and Amanda for a wonderful day of riding, raffles and auctions, but most of all fun and friendship. $1456 was raised on the day.

Australian Army Band – Kapooka

Since 1952 the Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) has been home to the Australian Army Band Kapooka, a full-time military band. In addition to military and ceremonial roles, the band provides support to local and regional charitable organisations and communities in the Riverina. On Wed 22 Nov, as part of their community contribution, the Australian Army Band Kapooka performed two concerts at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre – one at midday, and one at 6pm. For these two concerts, Amie St Clair Melanoma (part of Melanoma Institute Australia) was selected as the charity partner. A total of $1,140 was raised from the event. Thank you so much to the Australian Army Band Kapooka for choosing to support MIA!

We are feel good inc – Black Friday sale

During National Skin Cancer Action Week 2023, We are Feel Good Inc chose to support Melanoma Institute Australia, donating $1 from every order placed towards melanoma research. It just so happened that this year the timing coincided with Black Friday sales. We Are Feel Good inc donated an amazing $1,940 to MIA. Thank you so much for your generous donation!

Op Shop Charity – Concord Uniting Church

Each month, the Uniting Church Australia at Concord select a charity to donate the funds raised through their Op Shop Sales. On Saturday 28 Oct, all proceeds from the day were donated to Melanoma Institute Australia, which equated to $2,000! Thank you so much to Colleen, Ada the team at Concord Uniting Church for your generous donation.

Richard Parker – Timberland Ski Lodge

Donations have been made in memory of Richard Parker, from the Timberline Ski Lodge, who sadly passed away from melanoma recently. Our thoughts are with Richard’s family, friends and colleagues during this sad time.

In Memory 

We’ve had a number of beautiful In Memory pages created this month, and extend our condolences to family members & friends who have lost their loved ones.

These include Celebrating John Whatt, In Memory of Carole Nairn, and In Memory of Susie Close.

We thank you for your selfless contributions during such a difficult time.

If you would like to organise a community fundraiser to support Melanoma Institute Australia, we’d love to hear from you. Please see our website, using link below, or email Peta on fundraise@melanoma.org.au