Australia unites taking small steps to make a big difference for melanoma research

23 March 2016
Melanoma March events have been an outstanding success across the country, with more than 6,000 dedicated supporters turning out for marches across 23 locations over the last month. Well over $600,000 has been raised, with two weeks of the campaign still remaining.
The Melbourne event, held early in March, attracted around 1,500 supporters, while 800 turned out for the Brisbane march last weekend. Over 700 supporters, including NSW Premier Mike Baird and rugby legend John Eales, braved the ominous clouds at Manly, while the inaugural march in Penrith attracted 500 people.
A team of volunteers and MIA staff ensured the events ran smoothly, arriving on site well before dawn to help set up, managing registrations, selling merchandise and staying back to pack up after events. MIA’s clinicians also attended events sharing their clinical insights and experiences with local crowds.
MIA’s CEO Carole Renouf who walked at the Wollongong and Manly marches said: “It takes an incredible amount of work behind the scenes to ensure events go to plan. We couldn’t do it without our incredible volunteers including staff members who took time out of their weekends to help. It was a real team effort and it was fantastic to see so many staff involved.
“I’d also like to thank our patients who bravely shared their stories with media and spoke at events. I was moved and inspired to hear about their experiences. They are the reason we do what we do.”
The final Melanoma March will be in Darwin on Sunday 10 April.

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