Melanoma Foundation Appoints Melanoma Education Nurse
The Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand has appointed Debbie Heaney to the newly created role of Melanoma Education
Nurse.
Debbie is a registered nurse with experience in oncology and is passionate about melanoma prevention. She will lead the
development of information and support services that the Melanoma Foundation provides to people with melanoma and their
families.
Heather Hyland, Melanoma Foundation Executive Officer, says Debbie’s energy and passion will be put to good use.
“People diagnosed with melanoma have expressed a need for a nurse-led melanoma information service, and Debbie is
perfectly suited for the role. Based in Auckland, she’ll help answer people’s questions as well as undertake more formal
education activities. These will include information evenings, liaison with other health agencies, contributing at
Melanoma Foundation and Friends meetings, and developing programmes and resources for melanoma education in the
community nationwide,” says Heather.
Debbie’s background includes stints as a serious injury case manager and disability claims case manager. In this role,
much of her case load involved working with individuals receiving treatment for cancer. Debbie developed rehabilitation
plans, liaised with surgeons and specialists and developed relationships with her clients, assisting them during a
difficult time. She has experience speaking with patients regarding their upcoming procedures and answering any
questions they may have.
“We’re very grateful to Roche Products New Zealand for providing the financial support which enabled us to create the
role of Melanoma Education Nurse and to attract someone of Debbie’s calibre to the position,” says Heather.
About Melanoma
Melanoma is a very serious type of skin cancer, characterised by the uncontrolled growth of melanocytes, the pigment
producing cells of the skin. Melanoma is treatable if diagnosed at an early stage, but currently the prognosis is poor
once the disease has spread to other parts of the body (metastasised).
Melanoma accounts for only 5 percent of all skin cancers, which are generally treated very successfully, but causes a
disproportionate number of skin cancer deaths.
New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma incidence and mortality rates in the world. Melanoma is the fourth most
commonly registered cancer in New Zealand, more common than lung cancer. In 2007 there were 2,173 new cases of melanoma
and 292 deaths.
About the Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand
The Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand is a registered charitable trust devoted to issues relating to melanoma. Its
mission is to create excellence in the awareness, education, prevention, treatment and research of melanoma in New
Zealand.
www.melanoma.org.nz
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