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Melanoma benefits from 2010 Ball


The Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand is a registered charitable trust, a young charity formed in 2004, which is working hard to reduce the incidence and dreadful impact of melanoma in New Zealand.

New Zealand has the highest melanoma incidence rate in the world. Recent figures put our incidence even ahead of Australia's. Every year around 300 New Zealanders die from melanoma and there are 2000 new diagnoses. The death rates amongst New Zealand men are even increasing! These are shocking statistics for a cancer that is largely preventable.

Although most early melanoma is successfully treated through surgery, once melanoma is invasive it is a horrible cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not proven to assist in treatment of Stage 4 melanoma. Melanoma is taking the lives of many young adults as well as older New Zealanders.

The Melanoma Foundation works in three goal areas:

  • Improving the outcome for people affected by melanoma. This includes providing information and support for patients and their families. They also advocate that New Zealanders should be offered service and treatment equal to the best in the world. In the future they hope to be able to support melanoma research and better facilities.
  • Community awareness and education about melanoma in the interest of prevention and early detection of melanoma.
  • Fostering communication and co-ordination amongst professionals whose work relates to melanoma.