January 15, 2016
The Melanoma Awareness Foundation is holding a “Day For Lynda” in Kingaroy on Sunday as a fundraiser for its ongoing work.
Kingaroy mum Lynda Geiger died of melanoma on November 16 last year after 16 months living with cancer.
She generously allowed herself to become a focal point for raising cancer awareness in the South Burnett during her struggle, culminating in the launch of the Lynda Geiger Young Mums Program, and the social media slogan #wheresyahatmummy, by the Melanoma Foundation last September.
And she wanted this awareness raising to continue after her death.
The “Day For Lynda” will run from 11:00am-4:00pm in the courtyard at the Commercial Hotel.
Entry is $20 which includes food and entry into raffles (under 12s are free).
All money raised will go the Melanoma Awareness Foundation.
Live entertainment will be provided by the Commercial Hotel.
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Melanoma Awareness Foundation CEO Brett Otto said “alarm bells should be ringing” for young Queenslanders and their parents about the dangers of sunburn after a recent report released by the Cancer Council.
The report identified melanoma as the most common cancer diagnosed in Queenslanders aged under 35.
“The issue is a major concern for rural Queenslanders, with south-west regional Queensland having the highest incidence of the deadly cancer in the world,” Mr Otto said.
“It is a frightening statistic that melanoma is miles ahead of other cancers in young females with a staggering 140 new cases each year.
“It is not a lot better with young men; melanoma incidence at 110 new cases each year is again a long way ahead of the second most common cancer, testicular cancer with 80 new cases.”
Mr Otto said he was particularly concerned about the misconception that melanoma was just a “cut it out and I’ll be fine” type of cancer.
“Melanoma is not just any old skin cancer; the medical reality is that advanced melanoma can present months or even years after the original skin spot has been cut out, re-emerging as one of the most invasive and deadly forms of cancer.
“Melanoma cancer kills one person every six hours in this country and there is no cure.”
The Melanoma Awareness Foundation has a simple three pronged strategy for minimising melanoma risk:
1. Cover up – when outdoors wear protective clothing, hat, UV protective sunglasses and UPF 50+ sunscreen;
2 Know your skin – check your skin every month, it takes just 10 minutes; and
3. Know your skin doctor – have a full body skin examination under your doctor’s dermatoscope at least once a year.
