“I’ve always been a very outdoorsy person,” Kathy says. “But sun protection was never something in the forefront of my mind. I guess I’m paying the price of not having been that careful about it.”
“Now I don’t go outside without putting on sunscreen and sun protection. My message would be to wear the sunscreen, wear a hat, put that layer of protection on and at least give yourself a chance.”
“I try not to get too far ahead of myself ever throughout this whole process. I’m trying to just get out of bed, deal with the day, feed the kids, give them a hug, tell them I love them, get them to bed, wake up and start again.”
Sam Gattsche, a young Palmerston North builder, passed away from melanoma in September 2023 at just 28 years of age. He’d noticed a mole on his back in 2022 and despite Sam trusting his gut and persisting to get it checked, tragically it was later confirmed as melanoma, and went on to claim his life, far too early.
8-year-old Lucy from Beachlands School in east Auckland was selected by judges as the winning entry in this year’s Melanoma New Zealand Get Spotted colouring competition.
Karen Kemsley started donating to Melanoma New Zealand about ten years ago after the death of her husband Bruce.
Having regular skin checks has been a lifesaver for 28 year-old Danielle King from Auckland.
People living in regional centres around New Zealand can have a free skin cancer spot check by a Melanoma New Zealand Nurse Educator as part of Melanoma Awareness Month this October.
If you get melanoma, it’s not just about getting the mole or spot cut out; it’s all the stuff you have to go through afterwards. It’s a journey.