News and stories
Read our latest updates and patient stories
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...