Jess was 19 when a lump appeared on her neck overnight, dismissed by her local doctor at first as a blocked saliva gland, it took two weeks and hundreds of kilometres of travel before tests returned a stage 3 melanoma diagnosis.
Jess was like any other 19-year-old. She’d moved out of home, she had a job, and her weekends belonged to her friends. Her diagnosis took all of it. She left work, moved back in with her mum in Newcastle, underwent a 9 hour surgery to remove the melanoma and began intensive treatment she is still going through today.
This is Jess’ story.
Jess told her story so that someone else might not have to.
For over 35 years, HMF has worked to defeat melanoma in the Hunter — free skin check clinics, education and awareness programs, patient support and local research. We receive no ongoing government funding.
If Jess’ story has stayed with you, please consider donating today.
