Search our site
A Legacy of Awareness
Wellingtonian businesswoman Julie Vaughan will be forever grateful to her late friend Polly who, after she was diagnosed with melanoma, insisted all her friends get their skin checked. Sadly, Polly passed away in 2020, but it was Polly's insistence that led to Julie's...
Melanoma Mythbusting
As a young Māori woman, Briar Avatea never thought melanoma was something she had to worry about, especially because her mother always made her wear sunscreen as a child, and she recalled getting sunburnt only once or twice in her 20s. So, when the 33-year-old got a...
March 2024 Newsletter – Spot News
In this issue of Spot News March 2024, discover inspiring stories from three melanoma patients advocating for regular skin checks and sun safety. Get updates from the Melanoma New Zealand team and learn about new organisations who have committed to supporting our cause.
Summitting in Support
For the past six months, Hamilton electrician Mike Ridderhof has been regularly hiking up the picturesque Hakarimata Summit in Ngāruawāhia to prepare for a fundraising challenge held last month to honour the seventh anniversary of his nephew's passing from melanoma....
December 2023 Newsletter – Spot News
Our December issue of Spot News is now available.
Call to new Government to make changes National Travel Assistance Scheme
Melanoma New Zealand supports a collective call on the new Government to make much-needed changes to the National Travel Assistance Scheme.
Third edition of “Quality Statements to Guide Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment in New Zealand” – now available
MelNet has released the third edition of the “Quality Statements to Guide Melanoma Diagnosis and Treatment in New Zealand” in September 2023.
An urgent call to arms for political action on cancer
CANGO (Cancer Non-Governmental Organisations) is an alliance of prominent cancer charities.
Chance Check Leads To Diagnosis
Julia Robertson made a special effort to come to our Fieldays site this year to explain if she had not visited us at the 2022 Fieldays, she probably would not have done anything about a spot on her face, which has since been diagnosed as melanoma.
Melanoma New Zealand Fundraiser – Gibbs Farm
Join us on Friday, 14 November, at the celebrated Gibbs Farm – an expansive open-air sculpture park in the beautiful Kaipara Harbour, north of Auckland. It houses the country’s greatest collection of large-scale outdoor sculptures, with works by some of the world’s most renowned artists, including Andy Goldsworthy, Anish Kapoor and Richard Serra.
MyLifeMatters Campaign Launched
MyLifeMatters is a collective of patient advocate organisations representing more than 1 million patients with cancers, rare disorders, diabetes, and other life limiting conditions calling for the New Zealand Government to start investing in new and breakthrough medicines at the same level as other OECD countries.
August 2023 Newsletter – Spot News
In this issue we feature two patient stories in this issue. Firstly, Julia Robertson and her husband who took the time to visit our team at this year’s Fieldays event at Mystery Creek to thank us for correctly diagnosing a malignant melanoma on her face. Then Emma de Teliga, who was generous enough to share her journey since she was diagnosed with melanoma and why she still feels lucky despite completely having her life turned upside down. Plus, lots more!
Policy announcement to fund cancer medicines a game-changer for melanoma patients in New Zealand
Melanoma New Zealand is welcoming National’s policy announcement to fund 13 essential cancer medicines, saying it is a much-needed lifeline and will improve patient outcomes for thousands of New Zealanders.
Dr Sonja Bodley Speaks about the dangers of sunbeds on Breakfast
Our Board Trustee, Dr Sonja Bodley spoke on TVNZ’s Breakfast show about the sunbeds and why they should be banned in New Zealand.
2023 Cockies and Tradies Melanoma Awareness Charity Golf Tournament
Chris Flannery is hosting the 2023 Cockies and Tradies Melanoma Awareness Golf Tournament is on again this October. Registrations are open now.
Speed up and step up, PHARMAC!
PHARMAC’s lack of funding makes life-saving and life-extending treatments financially out of reach for many New Zealanders.
Delivering the ball…and our key messages!
To help Melanoma New Zealand raise awareness, our Founding Patron, Lynn Stratford, generously sponsored the opportunity to have all of this season’s Mainland Tactix netball home games feature ball deliverers with a family connection to melanoma.
Melanoma awareness advocate on Great Barrier
Great Barrier Island local Lisa Davenport uses airtime during her weekly Friday morning
Aotea FM radio show to help raise awareness about melanoma.
Cancer strikes Hawke’s Bay family, twice
When former port worker Jason Hooker was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in January this year, his whānau had just celebrated the news that their 19-year-old son, Mikes, had gone into remission after a seven-year battle with brain and spine cancer.
May 2023 Newsletter
In this issue, we share the heartfelt story of Jason Hooker, who only just got through his 19-year-old son’s seven-year cancer journey when he was diagnosed with melanoma earlier this year. Jason and his whānau are now juggling his illness with finding ways to pay for his treatment.
We also share a very moving account by Anita Kooge, who, many years on from her son Jeff’s untimely death at the age of 23, is supporting our call for PHARMAC funding for melanoma drugs so others don’t have to suffer the way Jeff did.
Melanoma New Zealand Reaches Netball Audience
We are so appreciative of Melanoma New Zealand Founding Patron, Lynn Stratford, for generously sponsoring the Tactix ball delivery opportunity, creating a platform for us to share our lifesaving messages about melanoma prevention and early detection.
Welcome Nurse Sue
We are delighted to welcome Nurse Educator Sue Bibby to the Melanoma New Zealand team. Some of you may be familiar with Sue after she spent some of 2022 working our events around the country, providing free spot checks and education. After qualifying as a registered...
Lidgard Shades Visit the Cottage Kindergarten
Lidgard Shades Managing Director Adam Wilson was given a special afternoon tea when he visited the winners of our 2022 Get Spotted schools' competition, The Cottage Kindergarten in Invercargill, recently. Late last year, Adam headed down to do a site visit and award...
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu – Chinese Philosopher
Queenstown businessman Matthew Rose recently began the arduous task of walking the length of the South Island as a means of self-discovery combined with philanthropy. Starting on 20 February, Matthew headed southbound on the Te Araroa Trail, starting at the historic...
Chance Encounters
Once again, our Melanoma New Zealand Spot Check Van was very busy at the latest Mystery Creek Fieldays, where our nurses saw 745 people and found 106 suspicious lesions during the four-day event. Pulling off such a great result was due to the team’s effort to manage...
February Newsletter
Our first issue of Spot News for 2023.
Step up to support a great cause at NZ’s favourite iconic fun run
Our Melanoma Nurse Educator Sue Bibby and Wellington-based GP and Melanoma New Zealand trustee Dr Sonja Bodley speak to Stuff about why Melanoma New Zealand is a worthy cause for participants of this year's Southern Cross Round the Bays to support. Read more here -...
Commemorating a true love story
Talented Taranaki musician Susanne Taylor recently held a charity concert in loving memory of her late husband Sean Taylor, who passed away 22 years ago from melanoma. To commemorate what would have been Sean’s 60th birthday, Susanne (who performed under her brand...
Dr Sonja Bodley speaks with RadioActive.FM in Wellington about sunscreen and the importance of protecting yourself from the sun
Our Wellington-based Trustee, Dr Sonja Bodley, gave a very informative interview on RadioActive.FM yesterday to dispel some of the myths about sunscreen and explain why it is necessary to protect yourself from the sun throughout the year, despite the conditions. Have...
The injustice of unfunded treatments
Ben McGaffney, had to move to Australia to receive funded treatment for stage 3 melanoma that is not funded in New Zealand. Inequitable access to drugs is contributing to hundreds of New Zealanders dying from melanoma each year, and Ben’s story brings home the reason why Melanoma New Zealand continues to lobby for earlier funding and improved patient access to these often lifesaving or life-extending treatments.
December Newsletter
Useful skin check tools
Some useful skin check tools that we are promoting Skin self-exam video Use our Get To Know The Skin You're In - A Guide to Self Skin Checks video to help with your regular skin checks Digital assistant A voice-activated digital assistant ‘Skin Check’ app – Available...
Auckland Round The Bays
Melanoma New Zealand is thrilled to have been named as the Official Charity Partner for the iconic Kiwi fun run, Auckland Round the Bays.
I have no doubt that the Spot Check Van saved my life
Auckland pharmacist and mother of two Nichola Murray discovered a small pinhead-sized nodule on her shin in 2021 and believes she had waited any longer to get it checked out, her prognosis could have been very different.
What’s happening sucks, but I keep positive
42-year-old Victoria Hudson-Craig shares the inspirational and moving story of her fight against metastatic melanoma to encourage others to make sure they get any changes to their skin checked out.
September Newsletter
We need to protect our skin all year round
Aotearoa ski season is upon us. UV radiation is amplified at high altitude, and intensifies as it reflects off the snow. In fact, UV intensity not only increases with reflection from the snow, but from water and even concrete too!
I now check my moles like crazy
Christchurch resident Alyssa Sherriff was 27 years old, and newly pregnant with her second child Louis, when she found out last year that she had a melanoma on her face.
Never For One Second Did I Think My Smudge Was Cancer
Aucklander Amanda Lockyer was just 41 years old, with two young children, when she noticed a strange ‘smudge’ on the sole of her right foot.
May Newsletter
Out of sight, out of mind
Dunedin-based life coach and public speaker Julie Woods lost her sight at the age of 31, and in this edition of Spot News, she shares her inspirational story of how learning to manage her blindness has helped her through the shock and uncertainty of a melanoma diagnosis seven years ago.
I don’t like to nag, and I do understand that farm-life is often all consuming, but melanoma could have killed him.”
Thank goodness we went and got checked that day, but even then, we waited too long to follow up from that initial check.
Tattoos don’t protect your skin from melanoma
57-year-old Gordon Shaw felt the world had ended in October last year when he was told by his specialist that the red spot on his forearm was melanoma.
I honestly thought it was a Pimple
American-born secondary school teacher Thomas Tripp moved to North Canterbury in 2004. A self-confessed sun worshipper, Thomas says he absolutely loves the sun and warmth, and grew up in an era when baby oil was applied to the skin to get a tan faster.
Former All Black Coach Steve Hansen Shares His Personal Story of Melanoma
Steve Hansen is well-known in New Zealand, and in other rugby playing nations, as an inspirational leader and former coach of the All Blacks. What isn’t as well-known is that he has survived melanoma on three separate occasions.
February Newsletter
Biking 3000km To Raise Funds For Melanoma New Zealand
Recently Deb decided she wanted to do something to honour David’s memory and to support the work of both Melanoma New Zealand and Hospice New Zealand – organisations both close to her heart.
Our Newest Melanoma New Zealand Ambassadors
Martin is Auckland-born and bred, and Laura, who was born in Christchurch, moved to Auckland when she was 18 years old. We caught up with Laura while she is juggling her busy career in lockdown, with two young children, four year-old Harley, and Teddy, who is just...
I never thought I’d be a widow at age 49
“I never thought I’d be a widow at age 49. David was my soul mate; I think of him every day and his untimely death has left a lasting impact on me, and our two children.
CANGO urges Government: Stop “shrugging your shoulders” at cancer deaths
The Alliance of Cancer NGOs (CANGO) is calling on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to urgently adopt the same hard-line, “zero tolerance” approach to cancer deaths that she is to COVID. “Recently, the Prime Minister made it clear that a principled approach to COVID means...
Record $535,000 donation to Melanoma New Zealand a life saver
Ryman Healthcare is donating $535,000 to charity partner Melanoma New Zealand after a huge year of fundraising around the country. The support included the funds to allow Melanoma New Zealand to buy a Spot Check Van, which has been on the road since February and has...
The Spot Check Van Saved My Life
Aucklander and early childhood teacher Sarah Dixon’s world turned upside down when she was diagnosed earlier this year with melanoma. At just 33, married to Leigh, with a 12-year-old son, she didn’t realise what melanoma was, let alone how serious it could be, until...
Cockies and Tradies Charity Golf Tournament
50-year-old Alexandra resident and local plumber Chris Flannery was diagnosed just before Christmas in 2019 with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma. “I have lived my life outdoors, growing up in a farming community, and playing representative rugby and cricket in my younger...
Family History Increases Your Risk Of Melanoma
Diagnosed with melanoma late last year, 59-year-old Wellingtonian, Andrea Savage recalls holidaying in Kerikeri with her family as a teenager, and getting so sunburnt that she could barely walk. “I got terrible blisters from that particular sunburn, and I remember...
I Am Just So Grateful That I Was In The Right Place At The Right Time
74-year-old Delwyn Hardgrave was waiting for her husband David in the foyer of the Logan Campbell retirement village in Auckland’s Greenlane, when she was approached by Melanoma New Zealand Nurse Educator Gill Rolfe. “Gill had seen a mole on the back of my leg from...
Melanoma New Zealand launching “Because I checked my skin campaign” to save lives
The Global Melanoma Coalition brings together melanoma patient advocacy organisations from around the world to support collaboration over melanoma awareness, patient resources, patient advocacy and access to treatments. Thanks to support from our membership of The...
Horrific And Frightening
Vanessa, Lauren’s mum, shares her perspective on how melanoma has impacted her precious daughter and family. “I’m a nurse, and I knew it was serious the night our neighbour, friend and specialist came around and told us that it was melanoma. I had hoped for the best...
I Wasn’t Aware Of Melanoma Until It Affected My Family
Rotorua mum, makeup artist and dairy farm owner, Ceitha Andrews, remembers being taken out of school when she was 13 to visit her dad in the hospital as he’d had surgery for melanoma. “He was only 34, and little did I know then what lay in front of us as a family,”...
Our New Mobile Van Spot Checks More Than 1400 People
Since our Melanoma New Zealand Spot Check van launched earlier this year, it has been travelling to different locations to raise awareness about the signs of melanoma, the importance of early detection, and to provide free spot checks. The van was made possible thanks...
Diagnosed With Melanoma At Just 20 Years Old, Lauren Shares Her Story
Her friends are busy studying, working and planning their futures. However, 20-year-old Lauren is battling Stage 3B melanoma, undergoing immunotherapy treatment to potentially save her life, and says she feels like people don’t really understand how deadly this cancer...
You’re the most important asset on farm – ‘don’t let a spot become a full stop’
‘Don’t let a spot become a full stop’. This is the message Melanoma New Zealand and FMG are sharing with rural New Zealanders. With over 50% of rural New Zealand insured with FMG and a strong presence in those communities, FMG has today announced it’s partnering with...
Being A Bloke, I Thought It Would Go Away, But It Didn’t
Diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in November 2017 and given just a 15% chance of surviving until the following Christmas, Shane Callaghan shares his story of hope and inspiration in the face of a devastating prognosis. Shane was initially diagnosed with melanoma on...
It Is Always In The Back Of My Mind That I May Have Only 5-10 Years To Live
Emma Abrahams was diagnosed with Stage 3C melanoma in May this year. The 38 year-old Auckland mum shares her story with us to encourage others who have been diagnosed with melanoma to keep hopeful and to ask for support. Emma’s melanoma journey started with a small...
Melanoma Robbed Our Son Michael Of His Future At Just 19
Michael Pilaar was 17 when he was diagnosed with melanoma, and only 19 years old when he died. Michael’s mother Elizabeth shares a confronting account of her loved son’s battle with this terrible disease, in the hope that it will help spread the word that melanoma can...
Olympic Games Sailor Leo Tahakashi Runs for Melanoma
21-year-old Aucklander Leo Tahakashi had been selected to represent Japan in sailing at the 2020 Olympic Games, but his dreams were put on hold when the Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Needing a focus, Leo decided to run in the Auckland Marathon...
I Nearly Skipped My Annual Skin Check Because of My Age
Jack Keeys was diagnosed with melanoma last year at just 24 years old. Thankfully, his melanoma was caught early, and after two surgeries, he was given the all clear by his specialist. Jack was really shocked when he found out that the mole on his upper back was a...
Simon’s Story: Run over melanoma
Simon McLean’s beloved father Colin died of melanoma four years ago at the age of 62. He is planning on running the ASB marathon at the end of the year to fundraise for Melanoma New Zealand, in memory of his dad. “I really want to do something to support the work...
Adine’s story: I had been a sun worshipper
The summer of 2004/2005 had been a great one, I had just got married, had completed my first year as a commercial lawyer, was rolling into my 6th year as a member of the Silver Fern Netball Team and we had just added a new puppy and Burmese cat to our brand spanking...
Josh’s story: My dear dad, hero and wingman
My dear father, Roger, passed away on 1st April 2011, one year after having been diagnosed with Stage 1V metastatic melanoma. A month prior to his diagnosis, Dad had been tramping and kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park and was feeling fit and healthy. He had...