Hi there,

 

I have decided to make a difference by creating my very own fundraising page for Melanoma March. Through here you can easily support my efforts by making a secure donation. I would also really appreciate it if you could share my page or comment so more people know about it.  

 

Click 'Donate Now' to make a secure online donation. 

 

Thanks so much for your support!

 

My Story...

 

At the age of 14 (1994), I had a suspicious mole removed from my lower right leg. Follow-up pathology confirmed it was a Melanoma and I had a wider excision to be safe. At the time we thought that was the end of it and life went on with small scar as a constant reminder.

 

Fast forward to 2017 - I went to my GP on a Sunday night with some testis soreness, and whilst totally unrelated to the Melanoma, one test lead to another and by the Friday I was in hospital with my right testicle and tumour removed. Pathology and scans confirmed this was a Seminoma and localised to the right testis.

 

Three months post-surgery I had my first surveillance scan for the testicular cancer and this showed the presence of some mildly enlarged lymph nodes in my right groin. Once again, one test lead to many more and Melanoma was confirmed. It had likely lay dormant in my lymph nodes since childhood days and for whatever reason had decided to rear its ugly head some 23 years later!

 

More surgery followed, this time a full lymph node dissection in my right groin. A total of 14 nodes were removed with two nodes confirmed with Melanoma. No evidence of it in the tissue surrounding the nodes (which is a good thing) but an ongoing surveillance program will monitor moving forward.

 

I don’t think I can say I’ll ever be out of the woods, but for now I’m all clear.

 

Whilst this has been a personal journey for my family and I to work through, I’m happy to share my story and experiences if it will help to raise awareness (and money), to ensure the ongoing research required to help end Melanoma.

 

A special thanks to my partner Kel and our three beautiful kids, my Mum and Dad and siblings and my extended family and friends for all their ongoing love and support. And of-course all the doctors and nurses for which I am so grateful.

 

Thanks

Al Walsh