Melanoma March began as a community fundraising event in Manly, 2012. It’s now Melanoma Institute Australia’s major annual fundraising campaign, bringing together patients, families and local communities to raise awareness and funds for research.
The bakslap team and volunteers are proud to be organising our local Sunshine Coast Melanoma March for a 4th year.
This year, we’re excited to announce that the twilight March will be part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing on Sunday 6 March. For 30 years this event has attracted the worlds best surfers and by working together, we will help raise further awareness of melanoma skin cancer and how to enjoy the sunshine responsibly.
When: Sunday, 6 March 2022
Time: 4:00PM to 6:00PM (registrations 3:00-3:45PM & walk commences 4:00PM)
Where: Noosa Main Beach
Cost: $40 adults, $20 children (under 5 free)
What’s on: 4km community walk for awareness starting at Noosa Main Beach, along the boardwalk to Nationals Car Park and back, along the ocean-view pedestrian path. Once complete we’d recommend staying and enjoying the live music and a cold drink with friends and family.
Recent advances in treatment pioneered by MIA clinicians and researchers have tripled the life expectancy for advanced melanoma patients. This year, more than 16,000 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer and sadly, around 1,700 will die from the disease – that is one Australian every five hours.
Melanomas that are detected and treated early are cured in 90% of cases. So, in addition to self-checking regularly you should have a professional skin check once a year. The following are professional skin check clinics on the Sunshine Coast that can be contacted to make an appointment and support this event:
In our second year, the bakslap team was once again proud to be the local event organiser for Melanoma March Sunshine Coast. Our backyard of Queensland has the highest rate of melanoma in the world and we’re determined to raise awareness of sun safety in our local community. Over 1,000 people attended raising $24,000 for research.
When: Sunday, 1 March 2020
Time: 2.30pm to 6.00pm (registrations 2.30-3.30pm & walk 4.00pm)
Where: Alexandra Headlands Surf Club
Cost: $25 adults, $15 children (under 5 free)
What’s on: 4km community walk for awareness from Alexandra Headland Surf Club, along the Esplanade to Mooloolaba Surf Club and back. There’ll be live music, healthy food vans, sun smart retailers and lucky door prizes.
Register yourself or create a team with your friends, family & work colleagues and be a part of making a difference. Thank you 💙
Founder Raph McGowan decided to develop bakslap on the Sunshine Coast in 2017 following the loss of his sister Tess McGowan-Chan (aged 31) to a melanoma on her back. Since her passing in 2012, he and his team have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for research. Bakslap is a sunscreen & lotion applicator to help apply to those hard to reach places, like your back without the messy hands.
Learn about Raph’s story as he shares the personal impact of melanoma on him and his family and how Melanoma March makes a difference.