Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust and Melanoma Institute Australia merge to benefit Riverina

A merger between two leading health organisations, described as a first for rural areas, will give melanoma patients and their families a better chance of beating cancer.

The Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust and Melanoma Institute of Australia have merged to ensure patients receive the best treatment they can get without having to travel to Sydney. Picture: Melanoma Institute of Australia

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Melanoma patients and their families across the Riverina will benefit from better services thanks to the newly merged Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust and Melanoma Institute Australia.

The new organisation was officially launched last Thursday in Wagga by institute representatives and Annette and Peter St Clair, who formed the trust in memory of their daughter Amie who died from melanoma at just 23.

The merger is described as the first of its kind for a rural area.

It provides immediate benefits to patients with the doubling of melanoma services in the Riverina, including increased capacity of the free melanoma nursing services, clinical trials in Wagga and opportunities for melanoma patients within the region to contribute to MIA research.

Aime St Clair died at just 23 years old from melanoma. She is remembered through the Aime St Clair Melanoma Trust, which marked its 10th anniversary last year. Picture: supplied

The merger also provides melanoma education opportunities — both professional and community-based through the SunSafe Student Ambassador program.

Annette St Clair said she was excited by the opportunities created through the merger.

“It’s just amazing because when we set up this charity, we had little support,” she said.

“Part of the mission was to run clinical trials and conduct research.

“Our small charity can now do that with help from a large organisation — one we’ve always had a good working relationship with.”

Mrs St Clair said ultimately, patients would benefit as resources — including travel time to Sydney — may now be reduced or eliminated altogether.

The merger also means additional resources in Wagga, including nurses and administrative support.

In Wagga tonight local clinicians & VIPs attended event to celebrate the merger of Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust & MIA, doubling support for Riverina patients. MIA's @ProfRScolyerMIA, @ProfGLongMIA, & Prof John Thompson AO provided insights into the latest melanoma treatments. pic.twitter.com/jocRo2iiOo

— Melanoma Institute (@MelanomaAus) February 27, 2020

The institute’s co-medical directors Professor Richard Scolyer and Professor Georgina Long, and fellow melanoma expert Professor John Thompson attended the launch and provided insights into the latest melanoma treatments and research.

Melanoma Institute Australia CEO Matthew Browne paid tribute to the tireless work of Annette and Peter St Clair and all volunteers in raising awareness of melanoma and supporting patients and their families.

“Our shared vision is zero deaths from melanoma, no matter where you live,” he said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance the effective delivery of treatment and support services to melanoma patients in this region.

“We can then go to government with a proven collaborative model and hopefully extend melanoma support services to other regional centres as well.”

The first major fundraising and awareness event of the combined entity will be Melanoma March Wagga at Apex Park on Sunday, March 15.