Bowen River Rodeo and Campdraft is taking place right now and running throughout the weekend, the exciting event once again supporting highly regarded charity Buck Off Melanoma which is celebrating its 10th year this year.
The charity’s founder, Janice Brown, has been a passionate advocate for Melanoma Research following her son’s Melanoma diagnosis and, over the last decade, has raised over $150,000.
A self-funded charity, 100 per cent of the proceeds go directly to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute to assist in the research for a cure for Melanoma.
Over the years, life-extending drugs have been made available, and helped people living with Melanoma to live longer.
Janice would like to thank all the different community events over the years that have been benefactors for Buck Off Melanoma.
“Thank you so much for all your help and thank you to every person that has supported us over the years,” expressed Janice.
Back in 2016, the scientists from QMIR Berghofer Medical Research Institute came to Bowen for a special community walk to raise awareness for using sunscreen to prevent Melanoma.
This year, Janice is pleased to report they are back and will be attending Bowen River Rodeo and Campdraft this Sunday to meet people and to answer any questions in regards to Melanoma.
In fact, Sunday at the Rodeo is all about Buck Off Melanoma with all the riders wearing special branded shirts that raise awareness for the cause.
This is thanks to Scotty Prosser from Liberty Fuel who has kindly contributed to the shirts this year.
There are 60 shirts in total and the whole event will be themed with the special branded shirts for the whole day.
According to ABS data, of the Australians living with cancer in 2017-18, nearly one in three (30.8%) had skin cancer, making this the most common type of cancer.
It is estimated that at the end of 2018, there were 216,408 people in Australia living with melanoma who had been diagnosed between 1982 and 2018.
At least 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, and the risk is higher in men than in women.
Prevent Skin Cancer By:
• Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.
• Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears.
• Seek shade.
• Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.
WHAT: Bowen Rodeo and Campdraft
WHEN: 6-9 June
WHERE: 41 Mt Wyatt Road, Collinsville