Melanoma March: what happened, and what now?

Melanoma March is over, and what a month it was! Here at Skin Repair, along with so many Townsville locals, we were happy to really get involved with the Melanoma March campaign. Across Australia, the campaign boosts public awareness of melanoma, and raises funds for essential melanoma research. Here’s a recap of what happened locally:

$$$ raised for melanoma research

This year, the Melanoma Institute of Australia rolled out an original fundraising camaign for Melanoma March. As we couldn’t donate at traditional organised marches, we could participate in a virtual ‘march’ by buying a $30 digital footprint. $30 was chosen as the donaton amount as an Australian is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes. The funds raised go towards vital melanoma research, which help Melanoma March’s ultimate goal: to eradicate deaths from melanoma in Australia.

Skin Repair pledged to donate an additional $5 per digital footprint purchased in Townsville. We can now confirm that 51 footprints were purchased in Townsville during Melanoma March (as well as a further $810 in additional donations). Today, Skin Repair have also decided to purchase an extra 51 footprints to equal the community’s number of footprints. With the additional Skin Repair contributions, altogether $4,125 was raised locally!

If you forgot to donate, the Institute has just announced that you can still buy footprints! Just head here.

Our local event

Unlike many other places in Australia, we were fortunate to be able to plan an actual in-person event, even if it wasn’t the traditional organised group march. Luckily, our ‘Footprints for Melanoma’ event snuck in the day before mask-wearing requirements came into effect, and with beautiful weather to boot! We were able to chat to so many people (and pat so many dogs!) at our booth on the Strand. Most people took the opportunity to re-apply some sunscreen, grab a sun-smart freebie, or enter our raffle. It really made for a lovely Sunday morning! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, and congratulations to Dee Takai for winning the coffee machine (kindly donated by GJ Gardner Homes).

Increased awareness

Apart from the fundraising efforts, Melanoma March was a great opportunity to increase awareness of melanoma. With the fabulous support of local media, we were able to promote key messages in the North Queensland community, particularly:

• Skin cancer prevention: The importance of taking DAILY sun-safe precautions, such as applying SPF50+, even if you don’t think you’ll be spending much time outdoors!
• Early detection: the importance of early diagnosis of melanoma cannot be stressed enough! The best way? Get a skin check by a Skin Cancer College accredited doctor!

These important messages are potentially life-saving, particularly here in North Queensland!

What now?

While Melanoma March is over for another year, of course the campaign’s key messages (the prevention and early detection of melanoma) are just as important throughout the year. If you are not already doing so, we highly encourage you to:

• Be sun-smart every single day, including applying SPF50+ every morning.
• Don’t delay, book in for your skin check! Call us on 4779 0099 or book online
• Keep up-to-date with tips and news by following us on social media (Facebook and Instagram)

Skin Repair is committed to reducing the burden of skin cancer in North Queensland. Since Melanoma March first started a decade ago, we have seen huge advancements in the treatment of melanoma. Through prevention, early detection, advances in melanoma treatment and research, doctors believe Australia can achieve ZERO deaths from melanoma in the next decade. We look forward to seeing this goal become a reality!

We would like to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone below:

Townsville Bulletin (26 March 2021 article)