ALPA auction raises $60k for melanoma trials

The event was once again held at Cockle Bay Wharf, where 350 people attended on Thursday night.

The chosen charity for 2024 was Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trails Limited.

Fifteen donated items went under the hammer, with lot eight, a full page branded advertisement in The Land attracting the highests bid, selling for $10,000 to Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Merrin Morrison, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited, Melbourne, spoke at the event.

"On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank ALPA for choosing our organisation to be its 2024 charity," she said.

Mrs Morrison said the money riased would allow Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited to bring clinical trials to more Australians, but that it would do so much more.

"Together, we will be shining a light on the urgent issue of skin cancer and melanoma in regional and rural Australia," she said.

Two in three Australians will have a form of skin cancer by the time they reach the age of 70, and one Australian will be diagnosed every 30 minutes.

Mrs Morrison described melanoma as the "deadliest form of skin cancer".

"Sadly, four Australians will lose their lives to melanoma every single day," she said.

"Many of these people will be in the prime of their lives because melanoma is the most common cancer among Australians aged between 20 and 39."

Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited has been delivering trials since 1999.

Mrs Morrison said Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Limited's vision was to one day eliminate the deadly illness.

"To conquer melanoma and skin cancer through clinical trials, we work with more than 1000 of the world's best melanoma and skin cancer investigators to deliver our clinical trials," she said.

"We've directly impacted more than 7000 patients who have participated in our trials.

"Depending on each patient's circumstances, our trials may have cured their cancer or allowed them to spend more time with loved ones."