Geraldton Raises Thousands After Woman, 29, Dies of Melanoma

When 29-year-old Emily Robertson-Miller fell ill at work in July last year, everyone thought it was a stroke. Just 30 hours later, she was gone.

The melanoma that had been removed from Emily's shoulder in 2022 had returned with devastating speed. It spread to her brain, causing two large tumors that doctors discovered only during emergency surgery in Perth.

"We didn't know that she was even unwell," said her partner Ruby Blakeway. Emily had experienced headaches and mood changes, but with her history of migraines, no one suspected the cancer had returned.

The mental health support worker had been seemingly healthy, doing everything right. But the aggressive cancer slipped through undetected.

The Ripple Effect

Emily's sudden loss sparked something powerful in Geraldton, a town in Midwest Western Australia. On Sunday, hundreds gathered for the town's 15th annual Melanoma March, this year dedicated to Emily's memory.

Her friends and family channeled their grief into raising thousands of dollars for melanoma research. The funds will help develop early detection methods that could save others from Emily's fate.

The group is also spreading a message Emily would have championed: everyone needs skin checks, even people who avoid the sun. "Em was a goth, she didn't do the 'sun thing' very often," Blakeway said. "It's still so important to be sun aware, get your moles checked, even if you're not sure."

Friend Casey Clark emphasized that sun protection options exist for everyone, including those who find traditional sunscreen uncomfortable. "Find the sunscreen you like, that doesn't overwhelm you or make you uncomfortable to wear and reapply," she said.

The march also honors Jason O'Brien, another Geraldton local who died from melanoma in 2021 at age 47. Australia has the world's highest melanoma rates, with one in 18 Australians developing the disease.

Emily's loved ones remember her as a passionate advocate who was planning community projects before she died, including a food cupboard and soup kitchen for people in need. Now her community is advocating for her, turning tragedy into awareness that could save lives.

"I like to think she'd be proud of us," Blakeway said.