Melissa Tague's life flipped upside down the moment she found a strange lump in her groin.
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It was just before Christmas in 2017 when the Picton mother of two found out that she had a stage three metastatic melanoma.
Ms Tague said her family had no history of cancer and it was a "complete shock" when she was diagnosed.
"I thought melanoma was something only people with bad freckles or the elderly got," she said.
"I tried to remain positive for my children, especially as it was Christmas time.
"But I knew melanoma was serious and I was extremely worried."
An oncologist referred Ms Tague to the Melanoma Institute Australia.
Professor Georgina Long placed the Picton resident on a neo-adjuvant clinical trial, working prevented her illness from progressing to stage four melanoma.
Ms Tague underwent regular treatments before undergoing surgery to remove eight lymph nodes from her groin.
Tests revealed the tumours had not only shrunk, but almost completely disappeared.
“I was so lucky that this trial worked for me because it doesn't have that affect on everyone," Ms Tague said.
Ms Tague has received invaluable support from her husband Ryan and daughters Emily (eight) and Sophie (five).
She now undergoes scans every three months to ensure the melanoma doesn't return.
She is looking to repay the favour for the Professor Long and the Melanoma Institute by participating in the upcoming Melanoma March in Picton.
The event will be held on Sunday, March 3 from 9am at the Picton Botanic Gardens with gates open from 7.30am.
Participants will march together and all funds raised will go towards melanoma research.
Ms Tague encouraged all Macarthur residents to support the event.
"My story shows that melanoma can happen to anybody and that we should be doing everything we can to prevent it," she said.
Picton Melanoma March organiser Mark Thomson said the event would help spread awareness about the illness.
"The march offers an opportunity for our community to show support for those currently battling melanoma, and to remember those loved ones who sadly lost their battle to it," he said.
For more details, visit the Melanoma March website.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
