On behalf of all of us at the Neil Evans Melanoma Foundation (NEMF), we extend our heartiest congratulations to both Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO from the University of Sydney, who were today jointly named 2024 NSW Australian of the Year for their life-saving melanoma work.
Professors Long and Scolyer are Co-Medical Directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia.
NEMF Founder Sonia Nazaretian was fortunate to get to know Professor Long, who was Neil Evan’s oncologist, over the many years Neil was receiving treatment for his melanoma. “Georgina, Richard, and the entire team at Melanoma Institute Australia do incredible work,” Sonia said today. “Neil shared his vision for a Foundation that would help remove financial barriers for patients undergoing melanoma treatment with Georgina and she was hugely supportive.”
“Georgina not only played a pivotal role in Neil’s care, she really inspired us to establish NEMF, and today, more than two years since his passing, we are helping a growing number of patients with financial support when they need it the most.
21-year-old Martina Duleska was one such patient. Martina had just started university, but her life changed in a nano-second when she learned she had Stage III melanoma. “‘Thanks to [NEMF], I didn’t have to delay treatment for months and could start living my life again far sooner than I had ever hoped.”
So, Georgina and Richard, congratulations again, and thank you; for making a very real difference in Neil’s life, and of course for the tremendous contribution you continue to make in the treatment of this deadline disease.
Let’s keep up the fight to #beatmelanoma!
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