15 years of taking steps to save lives from melanoma

Melanoma March began as a community fundraising event in 2012 when Manly local, James Economides, decided to raise awareness and research funds in honour of his son, Michael, who passed away from melanoma in 2008 at the age of 20.

Turning his grief into action, and with friends, family, and his local community by his side, Melanoma March was born. What began as a single event along one beachfront promenade is now MIA’s major annual fundraising campaign.

‘We wanted to do something to remember Michael, and others lost to melanoma, and also try to make a difference to prevent other families going through what we had,’ James said. ‘That first event at Manly, alongside my co-founder Jay Allen who was working at Melanoma Institute Australia, we literally put one foot in front of the other and were buoyed by the wonderful support from everyone who turned out to walk alongside us.’

‘We are so proud that what began as a local walk in memory of our son is now an Australia-wide event bringing together families and communities to help save lives from melanoma.’

Melanoma March is a family-friendly walking event. Events are held around Australia during March, with the flagship Sydney event returning to its original location at Sydney’s iconic Manly Beach.

‘Over the years, the campaign has raised close to $10 million which has fuelled research projects and clinical guidelines which have directly changed the trajectory of melanoma treatment and patient care across the country,’ said James. ‘What an incredible legacy for Michael, and the thousands of other Australians who have passed away from melanoma.’

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world. One person is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes and one person dies from the disease every six hours. It is the most common cancer affecting 20-39-year-old Australians.

Less than a decade ago, advanced melanoma was an almost certain death sentence, with patients rarely surviving more than a few months.

World-class research by MIA has led to groundbreaking treatment advances and improved patient outcomes. First came targeted drug therapies, followed closely by immunotherapies – the ‘penicillin moment for cancer treatment’ – and now neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) immunotherapy.

Close to 60% of advanced melanoma patients are now surviving and are essentially cured because of these treatments.

‘Our dedicated multi-disciplinary team at MIA remains focused on planning ahead with regards to what our next major change in practice needs to be to transform outcomes not only for melanoma patients but for patients across all cancers,’ MIA’s Medical Director Professor Georgina Long said.

The 2026 Melanoma March campaign helps fuel this critical research and the development of breakthrough new treatments.

If you are unable to join us on the day of the event, you can still support the campaign by hosting a March Your Way activity with friends or individually.

Register to participate or donate to Melanoma March here. Register before 1 February to take advantage of our 50% off launch offer!

Melanoma March is an initiative of Melanoma Institute Australia.
It is proudly supported by Melanoma Patients Australia and Australian Melanoma Research Foundation