Young Leader Motivated by Tragic Loss

November 5th, 2008 - Media Statement

Driven by a devastating personal loss, a young West Australian leader hosted a fundraising luncheon for melanoma research and has just handed her donation to a Nedlands-based research centre.

As part of the Future Leaders Initiative (FLI) at Challenger TAFE, Angela Griffin recently presented a $2,500 cheque to the Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre (SKMRC) - proceeds from a charity event she coordinated in August this year.

Challenger TAFE Project Officer Angela Griffin said it was her own painful experience of losing a friend to melanoma that convinced the FLI group to support the Centre as part of their first project.

"Like many people, I've lost someone close to me through melanoma cancer, and the FLI group were eager to respond when I suggested that we make the SKMRC the beneficiary of our first fundraising project," she said.

"We aim to make a difference not only in the College but also in the community, and the charity luncheon gave us the perfect opportunity to develop project management skills while helping a vital area of medical research."

Ms Griffin and colleague Stephne Ceicys were the driving force behind the FLI's fundraising initiative.

Challenger TAFE's FLI program is made up of staff who actively undertake projects to benefit the community.

Part of Nedland's Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), the SKMRC was set up in memory of Scott Kirkbride, who lost his battle with melanoma in 2004 at the young age of 27.

Scott's mother and Centre founder, Yvonne Kirkbride said she was delighted to receive the donation, and the awareness raised by the luncheon would be crucial to their ongoing efforts.

"It means so much to us when groups take the initiative to hold fundraising events in support of the SKMRC - not only does the funding give us a well needed boost, but events like these also help to alert Western Australians about the devastating effects of skin cancer," she said.

"We are all so grateful for the brilliant work of the FLI, and while the donation will certainly help us pursue our research, we're particularly pleased that attention is being drawn to melanoma."

"It's absolutely crucial that we make people aware of how prevalent melanoma is in WA, and we've now planted a seed of awareness in all those that attended the luncheon."

Challenger TAFE's FLI program helps to identify and develop future leaders by empowering staff members and recognising their potential for leadership at the same time as producing positive outcomes for the community.

For more information about the SKMRC, please call (08) 9224 0323.

For more information please contact:
Sarah Hayward
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0411 404 415
Office: (08) 9388 9280