Skin cancer charity gets grant to expand melanoma detection in Illawarra
Skin Check Champions in Wombarra received an IMB Bank grant to expand pop-up clinics detecting melanoma early in regional communities.
Skin Check Champions, started by Scott Maggs after his friend died of melanoma at 26, has screened 36,000 people and found 700 possible melanomas and 2,500 other skin cancers. The IMB Bank Community Foundation grant will help run more clinics through a mobile trailer called the Silver Bullet.
The Silver Bullet targets regional and remote areas where people miss early detection. Maggs, a keen surfer, says the Illawarra has high rates of skin cancer.
Many locals spend long hours in the sun through work and sport. Early detection saves lives.
"He had no idea it was bad until it was too late," Maggs said of his friend. The charity wants to cut melanoma deaths in half by 2030.
Sixty-seven community and not-for-profit organisations will receive shares of $770,000 in grants from the foundation this year.
Why it mattersEarly detection can save your life.
AustraliaIllawarra residents now have better access to free skin checks through a mobile clinic funded to serve high-risk communities across Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
