AMRF is honoured to announce the creation and inaugural awarding of the Warren Meanwell Melanoma Research Grant of 2022.
This prestigious grant will be awarded to an outstanding melanoma research project focused on improving outcomes for melanoma patients. Warren Meanwell was a father, sportsman, adventurer, business entrepreneur and passionate campaigner of sun safety.
Ironically, Warren was an electrician who spent time working at the mines in WA. He was so alarmed by the devastating effects of skin cancer in the mine workers, that in 1994 he began a campaign of awareness that made hardened sun lovers think about their own safety. Warren devoted his life to sun safe awareness and the provisions of high quality, stylish clothing for people who revel in the great outdoors. Warren’s infectious personality and passion for this work meant that people began to change old habits for new. The work’s focus became deeply personal when, in 2006 Warren was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. A bronzed Aussie, Warren had spent his young years surfing and sailing wearing nothing but board shorts.
In spite of his knowledge of this unforgiving disease, Warren never gave up hope and he continued to inspire everyone who came into contact with him. Even when confronted with devastating news, Warren made sure that doctors and nurses in the field knew that his company was out there to help others. Warren lost his brave battle in December 2010. He was 49.
A devoted son, brother, husband, and father, Warren left behind a daughter Lara and son Mathew.
Kerryn continues along with the help of son Matty who has just recently joined the family business to honour their vision by creating functional UPF50+ clothing so people can enjoy the great outdoors safely and with confidence.
https://melanomaresearch.com.au/in-memoriam/warren-meanwell-melanoma-research-grant/
WARREN MEANWELL / 1961- 2010 aged 49
The Lentigo Maligna Project
Dr Bruna Melhoranse Gouveia
Melanoma Institute Australia and Sydney University, NSW
The Lentigo Maligna Spectrum Project aims to answer a crucial clinical question for melanoma management: how can we differentiate a melanoma in its very early stages from an invasive melanoma?
Lentigo Maligna represents the most prevalent form of melanoma in situ in Australia with an incidence rising rapidly.
There is an urgent need to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the Lentigo Maligna and its invasive variant, Lentigo Maligna Melanoma, in order to establish when it is safe to treat it with non-surgical modalities versus when surgery is mandatory, and which surgical margins are necessary.
Our research has established a safe and non-invasive assessment with confocal microscopy to detect microinvasion components on LM lesion. We aim to identify the confocal features with high predictive performance associated with the invasion component of this common type of melanoma. Therefore, we hope to contribute to daily clinical practice by helping confocal experts to identify LMMinvasive lesions with better accuracy.
“It is an honour to be awarded the Inaugural Warren Meanwell Melanoma Research Grant 2022. We hope our work will make a real difference that will ultimately improve outcomes for melanoma patients. Thank you.”
Dr Bruna Melhoranse Gouveia