Executive s Foreword

Transcription

1 DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE S REPORT

2 Table of contents Executive s Foreword..3 Community Education.4/5 Clinical Research.6 Fundraising Events. 7/8 Board of Directors...9 Contact Details

3 Executive s Foreword I am pleased to present the 2012/13 Development Executive s Report for the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation. This year has been one of consolidation which has seen our resources grow and our community education initiatives continue to develop. We have also committed funding to an exciting new Melanoma Vaccine Trial. Rachael Sporn Highlights Include: 1. Melanoma awareness and education workshops presented to: over 1200 employees of SA Power Networks in both metropolitan and regional areas of South Australia. Numerous football and netball clubs in SA country regions. Metropolitan sporting organisations. Senior School students at Scotch College. BHP Billiton staff as part of their health and safety presentation. 2. Melanoma research: We are contributing a significant donation to an immune based melanoma vaccine trial. As always, we acknowledge the work of our staff, volunteers and supporters, both corporate and community. Their dedication enables our organisation to achieve its goals as we move forward. Rachael Sporn 3

4 Community Education Workplace Melanoma Awareness Program A partnership formed with SA Power Networks to present melanoma awareness workshops to their employees has been extremely successful. Over a 10 month period educational visits have been made to over 1200 SAPN employees in more than 35 metropolitan and regional locations. Prevention and early detection of melanoma are the key messages of these workshops. Since AMRF have conducted these workshops many employees have had their skin checked and 4 of the employees have had a melanoma removed and thankfully have been given the all clear. Sporting Organisation Presentations Melanoma Awareness Presentations to sporting organisations we see as being particularly important due to the sun exposure participants receive while playing their sport which is often in the middle of the day when UV levels are at their peak. Sporting clubs that have been presented to include numerous regional netball and football clubs, Rowing SA and Dragon Boat Racing SA. Scheduled future presentations include the Adelaide Crows, Port Power, Surf Lifesaving and Tennis SA. While most sporting organisations do have sun protection policies in place we are also focussing on personal skin protection behaviours when the athletes are away from their sporting program. 4

5 Community Education Melanoma Awareness Senior School Program Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to sun damage because of the amount of outdoor activity typically enjoyed at this stage of life and also their deliberate choice to actively seek the sun to get a tan. Melanoma awareness workshops were presented to Year 10 and 11 Scotch College students in Adelaide. Research has revealed that secondary school students have a high level of knowledge related to skin cancer and sun protection but a disappointingly low level of personal skin protection behaviours. Thus, the workshops focus on sun -related attitudes and behaviours in the hope that adolescents will take more responsibility for their own behaviour. We received a really positive response to these workshops from the students and are fully intent on expanding our reach with this program. 5

6 Clinical Research New Melanoma Immune Based Trial Commences A new trial for patients with advanced melanoma has just commenced with major funding coming from the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation. This is in collaboration with the "Beat Cancer" grants spearheaded by the new South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute and SA Government, with part support from the Cancer Council SA. The new trial will allow researchers to delve deeper into how the precise timing of delivery of treatment affects outcomes. The main aim is to make treatments more predictable and more effective. 6

7 Fundraising & Events Black Tie for Thommo - Aaron's Story - over $40,000 raised! On 13 October 2012 a very special fundraising dinner was held in the small mallee town of Lameroo in loving memory of Aaron Thomson, who lost his battle with Melanoma in September Aaron's mother, Glenda, along with a wonderful group of committee members incredibly raised over $40,000 from the proceeds of the dinner, auction items and raffle. A sold out crowd of 180 people enjoyed a very special evening celebrating Aaron's life. Aaron's wish was to raise awareness and educate people - young and old - about the dangers of melanoma and make them aware of the importance of having regular health checks. 7

8 Fundraising & Events City to Bay A special thank you to the lovely Vicky West and her family members for raising funds for the AMRF by taking part in the 2013 Sunday Mail City to Bay Fun Run. Vicky, her two sons and sister Amanda walked the 12km distance in honour of their mother and nanna who died from melnaoma in July They all enjoyed the day immensely and are looking forward to taking part again next year. Hackney Hotel Cricket Breakfast Special thanks to Mark Riccuito and Tom Christiansen from the Hackney Hotel for supporting the AMRF as their chosen charity at their cricket breakfast function. Michael Pratt was a wonderful Emcee and many belly laughs were to be had with Kerry O'Keeffe as the guest speaker. Michael Pratt and the Hackney Hotel generously donated numerous items for the raffle and auction in which over $3000 was raised for the AMRF. 8

9 Board of Directors Jeff Carr (Chairman) Assoc. Professor Brendon Coventry (Research Director) Hon Dr Bob Such Rosalyn Marshall Shane Maddocks Steven Russo David White Brian Cox Mark Streeting 9

10 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR MORE INFORMATION RACHAEL SPORN Foundation Development Executive Mobile: