23 September 2010
A photographic exhibition that is touring the country to prevent melanoma will be in the Waipa district for two days on October 4 and 5 at the Trust Waikato Events Centre in Te Awamutu.
In June 2007, Pele Lolesi from Te Awamutu was told she had Melanoma and two years to live. Three years later her photographic work is raising awareness around New Zealand about preventing melanoma.
Mrs Lolesi’s photographic exhibition called Scar: a mark of hope captures 23 New Zealanders, including four from Te Awamutu, who bear the scars of melanoma, but continue living life to the fullest.
Born with only one arm, Mrs Lolesi is looking forward to her exhibition being displayed in the region where the idea was born.
The Melanoma Foundation reports that New Zealand has the highest melanoma incidence rate in the world. Recent figures put New Zealand’s incidence ahead of Australia. Every year around 300 New Zealanders die from melanoma and there are 2000 new diagnoses. Death rates amongst New Zealand men are increasing.
“What’s even more shocking about these statistics is that this is a cancer that is largely preventable. Scar has already taken the melanoma awareness message to Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga, and I’m so excited that it’s finally coming home to the Waipa district,” Mrs Lolesi said.
Mrs Lolesi said it’s fitting that the exhibition is being held at this time of year.
“It’s a time when we change our clocks and check our smoke alarms. So why not make it a time to have our moles checked as well?” she said.
The exhibition is on for two days from October 4 to 5, with a free information evening at the Te Awamutu Bible Chapel at 7pm on Tuesday, October 5. The exhibition and evening are free.
For more information about melanoma visit www.melanoma.org.nz.
For more information, please contact:
Jacqui Humm
Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760
Email: jacqui.humm@waipadc.govt.nz