At, HMF, we’re here to help you. We’re a local organisation helping local people and our mission is to defeat melanoma.
If you’re a melanoma patient in the Hunter Region, we’re here to support you through your melanoma journey.
We offer standard practical services like transport, cleaning, gardening for those in need as well as emotional support through our Patient Support Group.
We understand that every individual’s needs are different – so if you have a need, then we will try our best to meet it.
If you or your loved one needs our support, please send us an email with your details and we’ll be in touch.
Lisa & Graham Hamilton started the HMF Support Group in 2010 when Graham was diagnosed with melanoma. Unfortunately, Graham passed away that same year and Lisa has been running the HMF support group ever since.
Lisa says that we each have a part to play in the journey of life – as the German philosopher said “that which does not kill us makes us strong.”
As Lisa grieved for her husband, she chose, rather than give up to instead continue the HMF Support Group which he started only 4 months before he died.
She chose to turn a negative feeling into a positive outcome and has watched some amazing melanoma patients navigate through their cancer journey. While so many of them often choose to protect their loved ones by not continually bringing up their concerns, Lisa feels it has been a privilege for her to be available not only in giving some a one on one sounding board if they wanted but she has also witnessed that the Support Group provides a safe place for them to share concerns, provide information or encouragement for their journey.
Once you walk this road either as a patient, carer, family member or close friend there is much greater empathy and understanding of others who also walk this journey as they feel able to share at a deeper level and feel understood.
Lisa encourages and welcomes any who are travelling this melanoma journey to join the support group in a non threatening place to either just come and listen, or share concerns and frustrations with others who understand.
The goal of the Hunter Melanoma Foundation Support Group is to provide a safe place for those on a similar journey – it doesn’t have to be a lonely road.
The HMF Support Group is run in conjunction with Melanoma Patients Australia and meets on the last Thursday of every second month in February, April, June, August, October & December.
Lisa is also happy to meet with people one to one until they feel comfortable enough to join the group.
All melanoma patients, their family, friends and carers are welcome.
A dedicated cancer support hub is now open to the Hunter community to help families and individuals navigate the challenges of cancer.
The hub is a collaboration between eight cancer services and aims to provide a one stop shop where families can easily access all the support they need. Dealing with your own or a loved one’s cancer can bring an immense range of challenges. Finding support should not be one of them.
Supported by
With your help, over the past 35+ years, we’ve been working to defeat melanoma—and we know the work we’re doing is making a real difference. But there’s still much more to do.
In the Hunter New England Local Health District, melanoma is now the second most diagnosed cancer (Cancer Institute NSW, February 2024), underscoring the urgent need for continued awareness, early detection, and prevention.
Nationally, melanoma remains the most common cancer among Australians aged 20 to 39. Your donation and ongoing support allow us to continue this life-saving work—funding education programs, supporting patients, and advancing research to reduce the impact of melanoma in our community.