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Yachting New Zealand is proud to announce that we have partnered with Melanoma New Zealand as our official charity to help raise awareness about the importance of early detection and prevention of melanoma among our sailing community.
To celebrate this partnership, we encourage all members to join us by getting involved in Melanoma New Zealand's annual awareness campaign Get Spotted, which runs between October 16-22.
New Zealand's melanoma incidence rate is the highest in the world with more than 6,000 melanomas diagnosed in the country every year. It accounts for nearly 80% of all skin cancer deaths and around 300 Kiwis die of melanoma annually.
Around 70% of melanoma cases occur in people aged 50 years and older, with men twice as likely to die from melanoma as women.
The good news is if melanoma is recognised and treated early enough, it is almost always curable.
"We are a high-risk group as we typically spend more time exposed to the sun when we're out on the water," said Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie.
"This is a great campaign, and we look forward to helping Melanoma NZ deliver their important messages around being sun smart and checking your skin regularly.
"I would like to encourage all club members, work colleagues, family and friends to also get behind the Get Spotted campaign and to have some fun while raising awareness."
To support the campaign, simply:
1. Register your support here.
2. Hold a 'Get Spotted' event or fundraiser (you could dress up in spots, decorate your club or workplace in spots, then follow Melanoma New Zealand on their social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and share your Get Spotted activities using the hashtags #GetSpotted #CheckYourSkin.
