Harry Townsend is a keen gardener and has appeared on Radio helping field questions on various gardening programs. He has also pushed a wheelbarrow across New Zealand for a very good reason. He set up the charity Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund in 1999 after his wife Myfanwy died of Melanoma. He has since dedicated his waking hours to raising awareness and as much money as possible to help prevent this cancer destroying other lives and families.
In 2004 Harry walked 800 miles in 68 days, from one end of the North Island of New Zealand to the other with a wheelbarrow named ‘George’, collecting donations along the way.
It is not only the most deadly type of cancer of the skin but also the hardest to detect, however if it is recognised and treated early, it is nearly 100% curable. If not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.Melanoma may be less common than other skin cancers, however it is much more dangerous if it is not found early. It causes 75% of deaths related to skin cancer. If you would like to find out more or donate please click here.
