Family of Geraldton man Clinton Cox share their heartbreaking story as part of 2025 Melanoma March campaign

Local father of two Clinton Cox lost his brave battle against melanoma in 2022 at the age of just 42, seven years after his initial diagnosis.

Two-and-a-half years later, his family are doing their bit to raise awareness, praying the day will come when no other families have to go through a similar pain and grief.

After a successful inaugural event last year, Geraldton’s Melanoma March is back on Sunday, March 30.

Participants will walk or run along the foreshore, uniting to fundraise for a worthy cause and remember those lives lost to melanoma.

Clinton Cox was diagnosed when he was 35, after he went to the doctor with a mole on his scalp that kept bleeding.

The mole was removed, along with a significant portion of his scalp, before he underwent immunotherapy. He initially responded to the treatment and enjoyed four more years with his family, before melanoma ultimately claimed his life.

Clinton’s father Colin Cox said he was marching for his son’s legacy.

“Clinton was fair-skinned, with red hair, and loved surfing. But most of all, he was a loving son, husband, father, and brother to two sisters. He is deeply missed by the family,” he said.

“Losing a child is incredibly difficult, and I am marching for Clinton’s legacy to raise important funds to continue the work being done in research and the development of new treatments.

“For a time, Clinton benefited from being part of a trial, and that treatment gave him — and us — extra time, which was so important. Hopefully, there will be a day when no family has to endure the devastating loss that we have.”

The event is part of a national campaign by the Melanoma Institute Australia, which is now in its 14th year, and 28 events will be held across the country in 2025.

This year, funds raised will go towards updating and promoting the National Melanoma Clinical Guidelines, while the 2025 campaign also aims to highlight the dangers of tanning and the need for all Australians to follow the five sun safe rules to prevent melanoma and other skin cancers.

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, with one person diagnosed every 30 minutes and one person dying every six hours.

It is the most common cancer for Australians aged 20-39.

“It is heart-warming to see Australian communities joining together in the fight against this disease,” MIA CEO Matthew Browne said.

Last year’s first march in Geraldton was organised by the family of former Brigades Football Club president Jason O’Brien who lost his life to melanoma in 2021. The event raised almost $20,000 and a pop-up clinic on the day detected three potential skin cancers.

To register or donate, visit www.melanomamarch.org.au