Melanoma van launches in Mission Bay

Melanoma New Zealand launched its new dedicated mobile spot check van, enabling New Zealanders around the country to have free skin cancer spot checks.

The van has met with immediate success, with its first visit to Edmund Hillary Retirement Village uncovering 23 suspicious lesions and four suspected melanomas among residents.

Melanoma New Zealand Chief Executive Andrea Newland said the van was hoped to be a game changer in the drive to prevent New Zealanders suffering and dying from this terrible disease.

“We have the worst rate of melanoma in the world – more than 4000 New Zealanders are diagnosed each year with melanoma and over 300 will die from it. More people are dying from skin cancer in New Zealand than on our roads.’’

“The purpose-fitted van, which has been generously donated by Ryman Healthcare, will travel to communities around New Zealand to provide free spot checks and raise awareness,” says Ms Newland.

“Ryman Healthcare is proud to support Melanoma New Zealand as its annual charity partner for 2020-2021 and this van will be a real asset to Melanoma New Zealand’s important work in communities right across the country,” says Ryman Healthcare Corporate Affairs Manager David King.

“In addition to the van being available to the general public, we are delighted many of our residents and staff will also be able to get spot checked,” he said.

Each year Ryman Healthcare’s 18,000 residents and staff choose a charity partner to raise funds for. Ryman Healthcare matches any money raised and has given away more than $4 million for charity causes including breast cancer, stroke and Alzheimers.

Pictured: Ryman Healthcare’s Corporate Affairs Manager David King (right) with Melanoma NZ members.