Providing financial support for Australian melanoma patients
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Australia’s National Cancer
Melanoma is the most common cancer amongst young, fit people at the prime of their lives.
Every 30mins someone is diagnosed
About Neil
Neil’s Wish
“To give people with melanoma every chance to beat their cancer, without financial barriers”
Support a patient – donate
Zero Deaths by 2030
The Neil Evans Foundation is dedicated to raising vital funds that will directly to support melanoma patients in accessing life-saving treatments, services, and support.
The Foundations ‘Melanoma Patient Fund’ will be distributed via the Melanoma Institute of Australia and will include financial support for patients for:
✓ A Clinical trial or treatment
✓ Travel & Accommodation services
✓ Wellbeing & Psychological support
Support a patient – fundraise
Get Active and involve
Walk for Neil
Walk Neil home this summer and give people with melanoma every chance to beat their cancer.
The Melanoma Patient Fund
The Melanoma Patient Fund is the first of its kind program launched on the
1st December 2021 by the Neil Evans Melanoma Foundation in partnership with the Melanoma Institute of Australia (MIA), which is dedicated to raising vital funds to support melanoma patients across Australia to access life- saving treatments and services.
People who are fighting melanoma need all the armour they can gather, and together we can help them identify the very next step in their treatment journey and provide every chance of success.
Some treatments and trials are so expensive it becomes out of reach for patients.
With little or no external funding to access newer breakthrough treatments or participate in trials, it’s often up to the patient to cover their costs. This renders treatment that could potentially save their life, heartbreakingly inaccessible.
Until now.
The Melanoma Patient Fund:
- Access potentially life-saving treatments that may otherwise not be available on the PBS or via clinical trials.
- Cover costs associated with travelling to and from clinical trials or treatment – which is today a barrier and challenge for patients living in regional centres.
- Cover accommodation costs for patients and / or immediate family members or carers, if required, associated with participation in clinical trials or periods of hospital admission.
- Access psychological support after diagnosis and throughout their melanoma journey
Australia’s National Cancer
Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world.
It is expected that 16,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma this year. That means one person is told they have melanoma every 30 minutes.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is estimated 1300 people will die from melanoma in Australia this year.
Melanoma is the most common cancer affecting 20 to 39-year-old Australians.
Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australian men, after prostate and colorectal cancer.
Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australian women, after breast and colorectal cancer.
Recent MIA-led trials have made major breakthroughs, tripling life expectancy for over 50% of advanced melanoma patients through targeted therapies and immunotherapies. However, for approximately 30% of people these treatments have very little or no impact.
Regrettably the patients not helped by our modern drug therapies tend to be young, fit and in the prime of their lives.
Neil Evans’ dream for others
Neil was in the fortunate position to be able to access treatments and trials in Australia and overseas to give him the best chance to beat melanoma.
Now he wants to help others. Neil’s wish is to continue his legacy by directly assisting others with melanoma so they can access broader treatment options that will give them the best chance to beat their cancer.
Breaking the barriers
The new Melanoma Patient Fund will provide financial support so melanoma patients can access life-saving treatments and drugs not available on the PBS or via clinical trials, and help fund support services such as travel, accommodation, and psychological services.
“We see melanoma patients every day who are financially struggling” says MIA Co- Medical Director, Professor Georgina Long AO.
“This fund could help alleviate financial stress faced by patients, and thus potentially open up new treatment options to them as well as enable access to additional supports and services”.
Support a patient
To help live out Neil’s dream, you can volunteer your time or skills to or make a charitable donation to the fund.
GET INVOLVED
DONATE
Thank you for your generosity in helping us achieve Neil’s dream. Making a donation is an easy 2-step process.
Step 1 – make your donation
Donations can be made directly to the foundation using the details below.
Etheringtons Solicitors Trust Account
Bsb: 062 000
Account: 16210770
Reference: #2021169 and your full name
SWIFT/BIC Code: CTBAAU2S
Or forward a cheque payable to “Etheringtons Solicitors Trust Account” to:
P O Box 2000,
North Sydney NSW 2059
Australia
About the Neil Evans Melanoma Foundation
The Neil Evans Foundation was formed when Neil passed away aged 48 in June 2021 after a 4-year battle with melanoma.
His wish was to continue to live out his legacy by directly assisting others with melanoma by breaking down financial barriers.
“We know that Melanoma is preventable however with the high out of pocket expenses being a major barrier for treatment for 40% of patients, this is a major concern. It was incredibly inspiring when Neil said he wanted to raise money to give patients who cannot afford it – access to expensive novel drug treatments – so that they too can have a chance”
The foundation and patient fund will bring to life Neil’s legacy of generosity to help achieve the goal of ZERO DEATHS from Melanoma – Sonia Nazaretian Founder, Neil Evans Melanoma Foundation