Manly resident and co-founder of Melanoma March, James Economides, has had the honour of meeting His Majesty King Charles III during his visit to Melanoma Institute Australia’s The Poche Centre at Wollstonecraft.
James lost his 20-year-old son Michael to melanoma in 2008 and was formally introduced to His Majesty this afternoon on behalf of all families impacted by the disease.
The King spent 30 minutes at Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) where he was given an insight into melanoma early detection, diagnosis and treatment advances by MIA Co-Medical Directors and 2024 Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO.
‘It was an incredible honour to meet His Majesty this afternoon and I feel so humbled to have represented all those who have lost a loved one to melanoma,’ James said. ‘Back in 2008 there was little they could do for Michael, and so we were driven to start Melanoma March to raise awareness and money for research so that other families didn’t have to go through what we did.’
The first Melanoma March was held in Manly in 2012. 12 years on, the family-friendly community walking event is now Melanoma Institute Australia’s major national awareness and fundraising campaign, so far raising over $6 million since its inception.
Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world with one Australian diagnosed every 30 minutes and one Australian dying every 6 hours from the disease. Due to research breakthroughs led by MIA, the 5-year survival rate for advanced melanoma has increased from less than 5% a decade ago, to now more than 55%.
‘I was delighted to see His Majesty today be presented with a gift of an iconic broad-brimmed hat, which puts the international spotlight on sun safety, as prevention is always better than a cure and melanoma is largely preventable by being sun safe,’ James said.
Melanoma Institute Australia CEO Matthew Browne was the official host for His Majesty’s visit. ‘We were honoured that His Majesty took time out of his busy tour schedule to learn about the incredible melanoma care, research and education that I see occurring here every day.’
‘Our world-leading work is a true collaborative effort, and I was delighted that James was able to meet His Majesty on behalf of the many families who have lost loved ones to melanoma, and also on behalf of our extremely supportive and passionate Melanoma March volunteer committees and all participants nationally.
‘Today’s visit to The Poche Centre was a once in a lifetime opportunity and will also keep melanoma prevention front of mind for all Australians as we head into summer, and hopefully will also spark sun safety conversations globally.’
Main image (left to right): James Economides, Professor Richard Scolyer AO, King Charles III, Professor Georgina Long AO. (Photo credit: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet)
