Shane Huxham was a loved member of the Parking Services team at Yarra City Council. Sadly, he passed away recently after a long battle with cancer.
Shane was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer in 2018. He became a patient of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre where he underwent various treatments. Initially Shane saw some excellent results, all of the visible tumours surrounding his body were eradicated. However, tumours in his brain began to develop and continued to multiply. He tried one other treatment before he passed away in late December 2021.
Shane’s story highlights the importance of getting regular skin checks. Unfortunately Shanes skin cancer had already progressed to stage 4 when it was detected. The rate of survival of a stage 4 melanoma is relatively low. Regular skin checks will help detect melanoma at an earlier stage and increase the probability of surviving.
Yarra's Wellbeing Action Group are organising free skin checks for staff in March and April. Particularly in Australia, it's good for all of us to be sun smart and get out skin checked regularly. Early identification can make an enormous difference for cancer treatment.
In partnership with Shane's family and the Parking Services team, we are also raising funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Peter Mac do incredible work in cancer research, education and treatment - the Huxham family have nominated them thanks to their amazing support of Shane.