Sam Short explains why he is the ambassador for the Swim for a CURE fundraiser in March

A Queensland world swimming champion who is the voice of a Cure Cancer fundraiser in March has reflected on his own close shave with melanoma.

World champion and Olympian Sam Short swimming. Pics Adam Head

Queensland’s world championship winning swimmer Sam Short has leapt at the chance to be an ambassador for the Cure Cancer’s Match fundraiser, Swim for a CURE, after recalling his lucky escape from a melanoma diagnosis.

Swim for a CURE will run throughout March, calling on the community to adopt a swimmer and donate money depending on how many kilometres they swim during March.

“I find it pretty hard that anyone will clock more metres than me in a month,’’ joked Short, who swims a thousand-plus kilometres across a year.

“I am really happy to jump on board and raise awareness.’’

Sam Short of at the Paris Olympics. Picture: Adam Head

Cure Cancer is an organisation close to his heart after he was diagnosed with a melanoma while preparing to swim for Australia at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest.

“It gave me a big fright,’’ said Short, reflecting on his shock diagnosis.

“I was 18 and I thought ‘what is going on’. I thought I was invisible. I was overseas in Budapest at the time and the stress was like nothing I have ever experienced, even to this day.’’

Sam Short at Bondi beach. Supplied: Speedo

Like a lot of Queensland kids, Short spent a lot of time in the sun growing up, although he probably spent a little more than most outside given he was a competitor at the Maroochydore SLSC at weekends - and back in the sun every weekday afternoon training at Albany Creek.

“I was out in the sun a lot, and even though my parents (Nicole and Danny) put a lot of sunscreen on me, it could not protect me from all the sun you get exposed to during those surf carnivals on those beaches, particularly back then as well,’’ he said.

So Short’s message is clear. Cover up from the sun and come on board and help raise funds for Cure Cancer.

“If I can get one (melanoma), anyone can get one. You have to get checked, especially in Australia because the sun is a killer,’’ Short said.

“I was fit and healthy competing in world championships as an 18-year-old specimen, so if I can get it ...’’.

Sam Short at the Paris Games. Pics Adam Head

Swim for a Cure is a nationwide swimming fundraiser where every stroke supports vital cancer research.

“Whether you swim solo or form a team with friends, family, or colleagues, Swim for a CURE invites Australians of all ages and swimming abilities to participate in this fun and impressive, inspirational challenge,’’ Emma Kirkman, Cure Cancer’s head of fundraising.

“Choose your own swimming distance, get moving in your local pool or open water, and raise essential funds for groundbreaking cancer research.’’

To register or donate, visit www.curecancer.com.au/swimforacure

Sam Short of Team Australia as a 2023 world championship gold medallist. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

SAM SHORT FAST FACTS

+ Sam Short was a junior at the Albany Creek Leisure Centre before switching earlier this decade to be with Damien Jones’ squad at Rackley;

+ Short attended Prince of Peace Lutheran College;

+ he was a nipper at Maroochydore SLSC from aged five, and later went on to win national medals for the club;

+ as a junior his 800m and 1500m achievements shadowed champions Grant Hackett and Mack Horton, while he was at times also within sight of some of Ian Thorpe’s junior times;

+ Short helped Australia’s 4x200m freestyle relay team to silver at the 2022 world championships;

Rebecca Jacobsen of McDowall and Sam Short of Bunya from the Albany Creek Swim Club. they both medaled at the Australian Age Championships as juniors. Picture: Josh Woning.

+ also in 2022 he won the 1500m gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, and was second in the 400m;

+ Sam Short had a break out meet at the 2023 World Championships, becoming the first Australian since Grant Hackett in 2005 to win medals in 400m (gold), 800m (silver) and 1500m (bronze) freestyle at the same world titles:

+ His 400m time (3:40.68) at the world title was within six tenths of a second of breaking Ian Thorpe’s Australian record;

+ Short was a 2024 Paris Olympian where he narrowly missed podium finishes;