The generosity and dedication of our Community Fundraisers, and their supporters, will undoubtedly save lives from melanoma. We can’t thank them enough!

KangaNews Awards Gala

The 2024 KangaNews Awards Gala Dinner, a premium event on the Australian and New Zealand debt markets calendar, was held at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. MIA was honoured to be selected as the Charity Partner for both the 2024 and 2025 events. Our involvement was a heartfelt initiative of the CommBank team, who tragically lost a cherished friend and colleague to melanoma in 2023. Professor Helen Rizos delivered an insightful address at the event, underscoring our commitment to advancing melanoma research and care. The evening’s philanthropic efforts raised over $47,500, and we look forward to working with the KangaNews team in preparation for the 2025 event.

Ray Price Invitational Golf Day

Thank you so much to our MIA ambassadors Ray and Sandy Price, as well as Jason Oxenbridge, for hosting and organising this enjoyable event, which raised awareness of melanoma and vital funds for life-saving MIA research. Dual International and Parramatta Eels legend Ray Price OAM teed-off  to help battle the disease that almost ended his days on the golf course. The man they called ‘Mr Perpetual Motion’ raised funds and awareness of melanoma. The four-time premiership winner was diagnosed in 2020 alongside his wife Sandy. The dynamic duo beat the disease with the kind of toughness epitomised by Price’s fearless reputation on the footy field. Now with the help of a few of Ray’s famous footy mates and some wonderful supporters, they’re giving back! We appreciate everyone who played and supported the event.

Canberra Times Marathon Festival

This year we had an incredible group of runners who named themselves ‘Just Keep Moving’ and then trained hard, donned Game On Mole tees and took part in the 10km run in the Canberra Times Marathon Festival. Several members of the team have loved ones impacted by melanoma and together they raised over $5,500 for MIA.

Taylor Rd IGA Community Chest

A huge thank you to the Taylor Rd IGA in Nedlands, WA, who raised $1630 for MIA through their Community Chest program! IGA Community Chest is an initiative where a portion of sales of selected products is donated to a charity selected by the store. We are grateful that you chose us as your charity of choice/ Thank you to the IGA owners James & Rita Kelly, as well as their entire team, for their support.

Ainsley Bolton 152km Ride

In July 2023, Ainsley was diagnosed with melanoma, but thanks to quick action by doctors, it was removed successfully and her lymph nodes were clear. Ainsley’s sister’s story of a friend’s melanoma diagnosis inspired her to get checked, and now she’s on a mission to encourage others to know the skin they are in. To support melanoma research and awareness, Ainsley cycled 152km over 5 days in beautiful New Zealand, starting on the 22nd April 2024 and raised over $2,000 in support of MIA. Thank you Ainsley for your incredible support!

Thomas Brothers Wagga Wagga Takes 2

Wagga Wagga Takes 2 is an annual event which pairs local personalities with accomplished singers as duets, to raise money for local charities around Wagga Wagga and the Riverina.

Wagga local Dr Katherine (Kat) Smith took the plunge to step outside her comfort zone, teaming up with local singer Dionne Crook, getting up on stage and dazzling the audience with a performance of ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’. Kat raised over $26,000 for her chosen charity – MIA Amie St Clair Melanoma.

Thank you so much Kat and Dionne!

Sophies School Fundraiser

Sophie’s dad Clint sadly lost his life to melanoma in December 2023, after being diagnosed with Stage III invasive metastatic nodular melanoma in September 2022. During March Sophie decided to organise a fundraiser at her school where she sold home-made jewellery, with funds going to their #TeamClint Melanoma March page.

“The jewellery stall was completely Sophie’s idea. She really wanted to do something to help raise money for MIA (via the melanoma march) and made many loom bands and beaded bracelets (along with some schoolmates) to sell for the cause,” says mum Danielle. “Since Clint died, Sophie really wants to be a scientist one day to help cure cancer, especially melanoma, and she knows that fundraising helps scientists to find cures!”

We’re so grateful to Sophie and impressed by her creative fundraising initiative!

Jola O’Malley

Jola was only 43 years old and a healthy, fit young woman who was somehow struck down in her prime by this awful disease within a space of only 3 months. Jola’s husband Drew set up a page dedicated to his beloved wife and mother of his children, who he lost tragically in April. Through an incredibly supportive network of family, friends, and colleagues, Jola’s fundraising page has surpassed $65,000. The dedication to supporting such a vital cause not only honours the memory of Jola, but contributes significantly to the ongoing fight against melanoma.

In Memory 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have honoured the memory of their loved ones by setting up dedicated fundraising pages within our community. Your compassion and support have not only honoured the legacies of those dear to you but also contribute significantly to our shared mission.

In this period, the following In Memory pages have been created: In memory of Rolf Grein, In memory of Jeff Dellit, In loving memory of Karen Knuckey, In loving memory of Jola O’Malley and in memory of Dr Vera Banks. Thank you for your meaningful contributions.

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