As 2024 draws to a close, the team at Melanoma UK would like to reflect on a year marked by significant achievements, increased public awareness, and continued support for melanoma patients and their families. The charity’s tireless efforts have made a profound impact in the fight against melanoma. Here’s a round-up of Melanoma UK’s major accomplishments in 2024!
Beauty Spotters Campaign
During the month of May we launched our ‘Beauty Spotters’ campaign. This campaign was aimed at helping beauticians spot the signs of Acral Melanoma. We sent out our ‘Beauty Spotters Toolkit’ to nail artists all around the country to encourage them to look out for some of the common signs of acral melanoma on their clients’ nails. This toolkit included a handbook full of information and images of real acral melanomas on nails to help compare and identify to other nails. The toolkit also included nail stickers with nail art to visualise the signs and symptoms on people with Black and Brown Skin.
Acral Lentiginous Melanoma is a subtype of melanoma and one of the rarest types of melanoma skin cancer. However, it is the most common subtype in people with Black or Brown skin. Dr Nishali, NHS GP commented that she believed ‘that people of colour often think they can’t get melanoma, or they don’t get melanoma and that its more in people with White skin.’ However, whilst it is rare acral melanoma is most common in people with Black or Brown skin. Therefore, it is important we raise awareness and help people identify the signs and symptoms. The campaign was incredibly successful, viewed over 10,000 times on social media and featured in magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health.
1804 Garden at RHS Tatton
Designed by Carolyn Hardern and Jon Jarvis the 1804 Garden was designed to bring attention to the heightened skin cancer risk associated with working and spending time outside. The garden was designed in association with Melanoma UK and Band of Builders and named the ‘1804 Garden’ as 1804 was when Skin cancer was first discovered.
The garden’s shape is inspired by the yellow and black radiation symbol – a familiar sign in hospital cancer centres – with three curved blades emanating from a central point. At the heart of the garden, a circular water feature supports a dramatic open sphere made up of steel rings. The sphere is not completely bound by rings – some, detached and levitating above the water, symbolise the eradication of cancerous cells and the process of healing. The sphere is reflective gold to represent the power of the sun. The garden is bordered by a variety of trees and an abundance of wildflowers to attract insects and pollinators. The garden was awarded a silver medal at the show and will be relocated to The Harbour, near Blackpool, a hospital that provides inpatient mental health care and treatment for adults and older adults.
Jewson’s Live Tour 2024
Melanoma UK returned to Jewson’s Live tour 2024! Our mission is to continue raising awareness of staying safe in the sun particularly for outdoor workers. Our ambassador David Uttley had the opportunity to present at the shows, he spoke about his own experiences as well as providing invaluable information for outdoor workers about risk factors and prevention tips.
Weekly Draw Re-Launch
The NYCDA Weekly Draw partnership with Melanoma UK was refreshed and relaunched as the new ‘1804 Campaign’ the name inspired by the Garden at Tatton. Costing as little as £1 a week this draw not only allows you to support Melanoma UK but also gives you the opportunity to win £1,850 in cash prized every week, there is a guaranteed £1,000 main prize, as well as the £500 Rollover, which can grow to a huge £10,000! Winners are announced weekly on our Website, Instagram and Facebook.
Winter Appeal
Finally, we launched our Winter Appeal 2024 – 2025 in November which focuses on bringing attention to early detection of Melanoma which can be achieved through educating people on the ABCDE Rules of Skin Cancer. By following these simple rules at home, you are able to check your skin, monitor changes to your moles and be alert for new growths. To help with this process we created our very own Skin Check Cards, these cards are designed to assist you in identifying warning signs on your body. We also created free downloadable resources to assist people in carrying out skin checks at home! The Winter Appeal is live on our website until the 1st of February 2025 if you would like to support us as we look to make an even greater difference in 2025. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a real difference and bring us one step closer to achieving our goal. If you’re able to help, we would be deeply grateful for your support.
