Novocastrians will take important steps towards beating melanoma this month.
A Newcastle Melanoma March, set to start at 7.30am on Sunday 22 March at The Foreshore, Nobbys Beach, will encourage walkers to raise funds for research, inspire others, and remember lost loved ones.
Rutherford-based survivor Tammy Tomkins said it was vital to create more awareness around the illness.
Three years ago, Tammy underwent surgery to remove a beauty spot but, shockingly, it turned out to be a large tumour.
“It wasn’t until I came out of surgery that I was told it was an internal tumour,” she said.
“I was devastated at first, but I was really glad it was all gone.
“I was thinking about what would have happened with my kids and grandkids.”
The 41-year-old said she was glad she made the decision to have it removed and added that regular skin checks are a key to survival because you can never know what a spot is like below the surface.
“You might just think ‘I’ve got freckle here and a freckle there’ but the next thing you know you’re in surgery getting a tumour removed,” she said.
“My biggest shock was that I thought I was ok; I was just getting a beauty spot removed.
“It’s a serious thing, you need to go and get checked.
“Skin checks are sorely missed by a lot of people.”
The Newcastle Melanoma March team is working hard to raise funds to increase its current total of just over $5,000.
The team will gather at Camp Shortland at the foreshore to raise awareness of the killer disease.
In 2019, more than 7,000 people from across the country supported the nationwide event and organisers expect an even bigger attendance this year.
Event registration opens at 7.30am, with speeches to follow at 8.40am.
The march will start at 9am.
Tickets can be purchased online. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children aged five to 17, and free for children under five.
Participants can also buy tickets on the day, however, they come at a slightly higher cost of $30 for adults and $20 for children.
Go to newcastle.melanomamarch.org.au for more information.
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