On Sunday 9 August, we’ll be lacing up for more than just the City2Surf finish line. We’re racing to support advanced melanoma patients to access the care they need, when they need it the most, regardless of their financial position or postcode.
City2Surf, the world’s biggest fun run, brings together 90,000 Australians each year on the now-legendary 14km course from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi.
It’s an iconic annual event. But for thousands of Australians, melanoma is a stressful daily reality.
Around 18,000 Aussies were diagnosed with melanoma in 2025. Melanoma remains the most common cancer in young Australians aged 20–39. And a staggering two in three of us will face a skin cancer diagnosis by age 70.
The statistics are sobering yet, for many, sadly, a melanoma diagnosis is only the beginning.
Despite recent updates to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which subsidises the cost of accessing potentially life-changing immunotherapy drugs for cancer patients, the associated costs of being a cancer patient and everything that entails, especially for those in rural and regional areas, are massive.
For melanoma patients, that’s where Beat Melanoma steps in.
Why we’re racing to Beat Melanoma
Neil Evans’ final wish for his foundation was simple and powerful: give people with melanoma every chance to beat their cancer, without financial barriers.
In partnership with Melanoma Institute Australia, which distributes our funds to where they’re needed most, we’re part of the collective push towards ‘zero deaths from melanoma’.
And so, until that day comes, our mission is to stand with patients receiving treatment, especially when the costs (and the kilometres!) pile up.
Where 2026 funds raised will go
This City2Surf, we’re aiming to raise ‘$26k in 2026’ to ease the burden for patients who need financial help now with:
- Immunotherapy: for many with advanced melanoma, immunotherapy has turned fear into genuine hope. But even when treatment is publicly funded, the associated costs — scans, travel, time off work, accommodation — add up fast. Your fundraising helps bridge the gap so patients can stay on course.
- Rural and regional access: because where you live should never decide if you live. We pledge to assist Australians outside the major centres travel and stay close to treatment centres for treatment and follow-ups, covering the essentials and turning ‘I can’t get there’ into ‘I’m on my way’.
Join the ‘$26K in 2026 push
There are lots of ways to get involved, all of which help us create impact:
- Make a donation!
- Start fundraising – you can fundraise as an individual or create your own team and encourage others to fundraise, too. You don’t need to be registered for City2Surf to join in the fun-draising!
- Join our team – we have a limited number of free registrations available to individuals and companies pledging to fundraise for us. Email hello@nemf.org.au for more info today.
City2Surf 2026 quick facts:
- Date: Sunday 9 August 2026
- Distance: 14km
- Start: Hyde Park, Sydney
- Finish: Bondi Beach
Be part of the story!
Every step you take helps someone undergoing treatment. Every dollar you raise removes a potential barrier to treatment for a family under pressure. And every team that shows up on the day tells Australians living with advanced melanoma: you are not alone.
- Fundraise or donate: city2surf26.grassrootz.com/beat-melanoma
- Details about the event: city2surf.com.au
- Questions or free rego enquiries: call/text 0414 757 390 or email hello@nemf.org.au
Learn more about our impact at beatmelanoma.org.au.
