Tackling the Kokoda Trail for melanoma
6 April 2018
Fraser Dykes tackled the Kokoda Trail on an eight day trek in memory of his friend Mark “Bod” Boddison.
Fraser’s trek fell in the middle of Melanoma Institute Australia’s major fundraising and awareness campaign Melanoma March which spans across 22 locations around the country, supporting, remembering and fundraising for past and present melanoma patients.
Out of sight, does not mean out of mind for Fraser and Bod. Friends for nearly 40 years, the pair remained very close after Fraser relocated to Australia from Scotland 19 years ago. “We kept in regular contact despite being on the other side of the world. He visited me in Oz on a number of occasions and I took my family to Scotland and we spent our 40th Birthday’s together”.
Bod was diagnosed with melanoma 11 years ago but was given the all clear. Six years later, due to the viciousness of melanoma, Bod had tumours in his brain, abdomen and other parts of his body. But Bod did not lose his sense of humour or positive attitude. Fraser flew to Scotland to spend some time with his lifelong friend. “Those two weeks were priceless for us”, Fraser said.
Devastatingly, Bod lost his battle on March 11th last year. Fraser took on Kokoda just over one year since Bod passed away. Fraser is hoping to fundraise and raise awareness about melanoma. Even though Scotland doesn’t cop the brunt of extreme UV rays like Australia, melanoma doesn’t discriminate.
Bod left behind his wife Ailsa and daughter Zoe who I keep in regular contact with and they are coping as well as can be expected. I also speak regularly to Bod's parents whom I have known since I was a little schoolboy & I find it very difficult speaking to them as I can hear just how terribly sad they are without Mark.
With three young children who spend a lot of time playing outside, Fraser is patently aware of the dangers of too much sun. “I was shocked to read the statistics regarding young Aussies and melanoma so that fortified my decision to raise funds”, Fraser said.
Fraser braved harsh terrain and difficult trekking conditions including extreme humidity and wet conditions. Fraser took on an incredible challenge for Melanoma Institute Australia and you can help him take it one step further by donating to his cause here.
New Test to Predict Primary Melanoma Progression
Australian researchers have played a critical role in the discovery of a potential new test to predict which early stage melanoma patients are at high risk of their disease recurring and progressing.
Community Fundraising December Wrap-Up
We are extremely grateful for our community fundraisers, who, even in this difficult time, have given up their time and effort to fundraise so we can continue to work towards our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.
Two melanoma treatments approved for PBS listing
Melanoma patients are set to benefit from subsidised access to immunotherapy treatment for high risk early-stage and advanced-stage melanoma patients.
Immunotherapy: the decade's biggest health advance
An informative article on how immunotherapy is revolutionising cancer treatment, written by Jill Margo and featured in the Australian Financial Review.
Boost to Melanoma Services in the Riverina
Melanoma patients and their families in the Riverina will benefit from strengthened and sustained melanoma services with the merger of the Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust and Melanoma Institute Australia.
Winner of the SunSafe Student Ambassador Program announced
Belmont High School at Lake Macquarie has been announced winner of the 2019 SunSafe Student Ambassador Program video competition.
Community Fundraising November Wrap-Up
It’s time again to say thank you to our amazing community fundraisers!
MIA & MPA Patient Information Evening videos now available
Videos of the sessions at the recent Patient Information Evening co-hosted by Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA) are now available for viewing.
MIA shines in poster session
MIA is well-represented in the poster sessions at the Society for Melanoma Research 2019 Congress in the USA, with four poster presentations being given by members of our translational research lab.
MIA Co-Medical Director opens SMR Congress in USA
Professor Georgina Long has today opened the Society for Melanoma Research 2019 Congress in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Highly Cited Researchers List names MIA Co-Medical Directors
MIA’s Co-Medical Directors, Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, have both been named Highly Cited Researchers, according to the Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers 2019 list.
MPA and MIA collaboration
Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA) and Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) have announced a new multi-year agreement to provide enhanced support services for melanoma patients nationally.
Community Fundraising October Wrap-Up
It is time again to say thank you to our incredible community fundraisers who are helping us get closer to our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.
Promising data for advanced melanoma patients
MIA has presented promising data regarding progression-free survival rates for advanced melanoma patients at the ESMO 2019 Congress in Barcelona.
Melanoma Information Forum
We
Community Fundraising September Wrap-Up
Another month has flown by and yet again we have a host of amazing community fundraisers who generously gave up their time to help us reach our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.
Notice for Supporters to Submit to PBAC
Comments in favour of giving patients with BRAF-positive melanoma access to first-line immunotherapy need to be submitted online prior to October 9, 2019.
Tune into Jay's Longest Melanoma March Channel 10 documentary
Jay's Longest Melanoma March documentary is screening this Sunday 22 September at 1pm (AEST) on Channel 10, capturing behind the scenes of the 2000km walk, Adelaide to Sydney in 50 days. Uniting to end melanoma.
Professor Georgina Long Co -Medical Director named Women of Influence in AFR Top 100 List
We are proud to announce that our Professor Georgina
Community Fundraising August Wrap-Up
It’s been a month since we highlighted some of our incredibly generous community fundraisers. We thought we’d have a look back at August and put the spotlight on more of the wonderful people who give up their time to fundraise for MIA, so we can continue to edge closer to our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.