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.
Please tell us about your son Aaron as a person.
Aaron was a fit, healthy young man who loved his sport—tennis, footy, always active. But more than that, he was deeply caring. He was strong-willed and determined, yet underneath that was a gentle, thoughtful person. He always looked out for others, especially his disabled brother, often choosing to wait for him, while also encouraging him to hurry up! Family was important to him, and that kindness showed in the small, everyday things he did.
It started with what looked like a cracked heel, like he’d been walking around in thongs for too long. It would bleed and just wouldn’t heal. I remember telling him at Christmas, about a year before his diagnosis, that he needed to get it checked. By Mother’s Day the next year, it was still an issue.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that it won’t happen to you, especially among young people.”
Later, during footy season, he couldn’t run as much as usual and came off the field one game. We noticed a lump behind his knee. That too was dismissed as a benign cyst by doctors. Those delays meant the melanoma had time to spread throughout his body before it was correctly diagnosed.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that it won’t happen to you, especially among young people. There’s still this attitude of feeling invincible, of thinking it’s something to worry about later in life. People continue to sunbake and get badly burnt without realising the risk.
His story really resonated with younger people because they could see themselves in him. At that age, you don’t think something like this can happen to you, but it can happen to anyone.
Sharing Aaron’s story didn’t let me avoid the grief, it meant I had to face the reality of it. I’ve lost two children, and each loss has affected me differently. But speaking about Aaron, going out and telling people what happened, meant I didn’t just keep it all inside.
“Aaron believed his message would help people, and that’s why he did it. It was as simple as that. He wanted others to learn from what he was going through.”
Before he passed, Aaron asked me to keep sharing his video, and I wanted to honour that. I was introduced to the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation through Rachel Sporn, and it grew naturally from there.
I hope we can change the mindset, especially for younger people. If awareness continues to grow, it can lead to prevention and fewer families having to go through this.
“Aaron believed his message would help people, and that’s why he did it. It was as simple as that. He wanted others to learn from what he was going through.”
