“I never thought I’d be a widow at age 49. David was my soul mate; I think of him every day and his untimely death has left a lasting impact on me, and our two children.
I never thought I’d be a widow at age 49
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Record $535,000 donation to Melanoma New Zealand a life saver
Ryman Healthcare is donating $535,000 to charity partner Melanoma New Zealand after a huge year of fundraising around the country. The support included the funds to allow Melanoma New Zealand to buy a Spot Check Van, which has been on the road since February and has...
Family History Increases Your Risk Of Melanoma
Diagnosed with melanoma late last year, 59-year-old Wellingtonian, Andrea Savage recalls holidaying in Kerikeri with her family as a teenager, and getting so sunburnt that she could barely walk. “I got terrible blisters from that particular sunburn, and I remember...
I Am Just So Grateful That I Was In The Right Place At The Right Time
74-year-old Delwyn Hardgrave was waiting for her husband David in the foyer of the Logan Campbell retirement village in Auckland’s Greenlane, when she was approached by Melanoma New Zealand Nurse Educator Gill Rolfe. “Gill had seen a mole on the back of my leg from...
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,”...
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...
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...