Jay Allen to walk from Adelaide to Sydney in 50 days for melanoma awareness

After ignoring a mole on his ankle for six months truck driver, Jay Allen had no idea the small spot would change his life forever. The father-of-three has planned to walk from Adelaide to Sydney to raise money and awareness.

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After ignoring a mole on his ankle for six months, 32-year-old truck driver, Jay Allen had no idea the small spot would change his life.

“The last 6 months of 2007, my wife kept telling me to go and get a mole checked on my left ankle and being a truck driver, I thought maybe it was a blister from my work boots,” the father from South Sydney told The Daily Telegraph.

“It kept scabbing up and bleeding and changing colour and it just wouldn’t heal, so I knew something was wrong.”

Melanoma survivor Jay Allen with his wife Janine and kids Jaxon 10, Charli, 7 and Chloe, 4-months-old will walk from Adelaide to Sydney to raise awareness and funds for melanoma research. Picture: Toby Zerna

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The diagnosis was melanoma and it has spread in Jay’s lymph nodes meaning he needed two major surgeries and a stint of immunotherapy treatment.

“It was very scary being told I had cancer. I was absolutely petrified; I was scared for my life. I’ll never forget it,” he said, holding back tears.

“I never thought this was something I’d have to deal with. I just thought I’d be a truck driver all my life. It completely changed my world.”

Determined to raise awareness and money for research, the now 43-year-old is walking from Adelaide to Sydney in 50 days for Jay’s Longest Melanoma March.

“I have lost 54 friends to melanoma in the time since I was diagnosed, so I’m doing this for them and everyone who has been affected. I’m out there walking because they can’t.”

He will be walking to honour his friends that have lost their lives to melanoma and for future research. Picture: Toby Zerna

Beginning on March 31 in South Australia, Jay will walk an average of 40 kilometres a day, ending in Sydney on May 19.

“I’m hoping to raise half a million dollars doing this,” Jay said.

“And I want anyone reading this who hasn’t had their skin checked recently to go and do it. It could save your life.”

Go to https://tourdecure.com.au/events/jays-longest-melanoma-march-2019/ for more information and to donate.