Members of the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs will be out for a Sunday walk this weekend as part of the March for Melanoma fundraising event.
The event, which encourages people to take part in a 4km walk or 8km run to raise awareness of melanoma and support those who have been affected by the disease, takes place at Williamstown Reserve at 4pm on Sunday.
“Given our staff and playing group spend so much time outdoors (either down at Whitten Oval, or at one of our many wonderful outdoor events), melanoma is not something that should be taken lightly or mucked around with,” Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Campbell Rose said.

“Life is too short to have it shortened by anything, particularly when it is preventable and equally we have enough challenges in front of us without having to face unnecessary ones like this,” he said.

“Imagine being diagnosed with melanoma at 25, and just sixteen months later losing your battle to this insidious disease.  This was Emily Tapp’s 2006 fight, and to honour her courage - and all who have lost their battle to melanoma the Western Bulldogs will be out in force supporting this event.”
March for Melanoma:
WHAT:             4km walk or 8km run, (casual walk or run along the waters edge with the city skyline in the background), ‘The Strand’ at Williamstown. 
WHERE:           STARTING at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown
WHEN:             Sunday 2nd March 2008, 4 – 7.30pm
  • 4pm - walk/run starts (Registration from 1pm)
  • Melanomore CONCERT from 5pm to 7.30pm featuring top Australian musicians.
 
WHY:                To raise awareness and funds for research into MELANOMA
COST:              $25pp – includes bag with sunscreen, bottled water, health bar, wristband and Melanoma information leaflets plus more.
Ages 13-18, $15 only. Children under 13 free
HOW:               Register online www.emilysfoundation.org.au or on the day from 1pm.
About Melanoma:
Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world, with it being the most common cancer in males aged 25 - 54 and in females aged 25 - 30 years.
Every year over 8,800 Australians are diagnosed with Skin Cancer and more than 1,600 die from this insidious disease, of which 1,250 are melanoma deaths.
Protecting yourself from Melanoma:
  • Always wear long sleeve clothing with tight weave for total protection from the sun
  • Try avoiding the sun between 10am and 4pm or seek shade.
  • Wear a wide brimmed hat and wrap around sunglasses.
  • Use SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors, apply sunscreen every 2 hours and reapply after swimming.
PROTECT THE SKIN YOU’RE IN (It’s your biggest organ.)
Prevention is in the main the only cure for melanoma and for that matter many other forms of dysplastic nevi - in simple terms skin cancer.  In other words we all need to get our skin checked regularly particularly being in Australia which has Queensland running at the highest rate of melanoma and related skin cancers in the world.  Early detection is critical and the key factors in early detection are covered by the ABCDE of melanoma as follows:
  • Asymmetrical skin lesion.
  • Border of the lesion is irregular.
  • Colour: melanomas usually have multiple colours.
  • Diameter: moles greater than 5 mm are more likely to be melanomas than smaller moles.
  • Evolution: The evolution (i.e. change) of a mole or lesion may be a hint that the lesion is becoming malignant --or-- Elevation: The mole is raised or elevated above the skin.