Darwin legal professional and representative netball player 28 year-old Sam Marshall was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma in 2022.

Sam was nearing completion of a Bachelor of Laws and Environmental Science, and was just 25 years old when she discovered a lump in her groin, nine years after having a mole removed from her leg when she was 17.

Unlike her peers who were continuing to discover new horizons, Sam’s world suddenly turned upside down with regular scans, procedures and treatments including extensive surgery to remove lymph nodes from her groin, as well as targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Since her diagnosis, Sam has finished her studies whilst also working within the Australian Public Service. In late 2024 she moved to Darwin to pursue a career in criminal law, and works with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency to represent some of Australia’s most vulnerable people in custody.

Growing up in Sydney, Sam was captain of her high school, Gilroy Catholic College, Castle Hill as well as a keen sportswoman competing at state level in cross country. For many years, she has played and umpired representative netball in NSW, and now in the Top End.

As someone so young to have experienced a potentially life-threatening diagnosis like melanoma, Sam is passionate about raising awareness of melanoma amongst younger people and is a keen supporter of Melanoma Institute Australia’s advocacy campaign to stop the glamourisation of tanning in advertising, social media and media.