Our Ambassadors and Advocates
The Australian Melanoma Research Foundation is honoured to have the support of ambassadors and advocates who generously give their support and time to help raise awareness and funds for melanoma research.
Glenda Thomson
Driven by the loss of her son Aaron, Glenda has turned profound grief into purposeful advocacy. As an ambassador for the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, she is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of melanoma and the critical importance of early detection. Through sharing Aaron’s story, at schools, workplaces and within the broader community, Glenda is working to challenge melanoma misconceptions, particularly among young people, and encourage simple, life-saving habits.
Her mission is clear: to ensure fewer families experience the heartbreak hers has endured, and to create lasting change through education and awareness.
We wish to congratulate Glenda on receiving a citation on Australia Day 2024 Citizen of The Year Award – Lameroo, SA.
Fiona Kilby
Fiona’s passion is trail-running. It was on one of her training runs that Fiona noticed she couldn’t start the timer on her watch. The next morning, she couldn’t move her arm and a week later, Fiona had a 3.5cm lesion, eventually identified as a stage 4, metastatic melanoma, removed from her brain. Skin and eye checks failed to find the source of Fiona’s melanoma.
She views her melanoma journey like one of her trail runs: “One of the reasons I enjoy trail running so much is the variety of landscapes you can cover. My recovery was similar. Every day was a little bit different.”
Fiona’s mission is grounded in gratitude, awareness, and action. Having survived an aggressive melanoma diagnosis, she is committed to helping others understand that this cancer doesn’t always present in obvious ways and that early detection can save lives.
Through sharing her story and supporting the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, Fiona hopes to empower Australians to take simple, proactive steps to protect their skin, while contributing to a future where melanoma is detected earlier, treated more effectively, and ultimately, prevented.
Did you know...
BE DIAGNOSED WITH
MELANOMA
MELANOMA IN AUS
EVERY 6 HOURS
TREATED IF DETECTED
EARLY
CANCER IN
AUSTRALIA