He beat melanoma which had spread to his brain, lungs and liver, thanks to breakthrough immunotherapy treatment and is dedicating his milestone birthday to urging fellow Australians to join him in helping raise $500,000 for research into new life-saving melanoma treatments.
“I figured something had to get me in the end, and so no doubt melanoma would be it,” Bert said.
“But research saved my life and so I am delighted to be stepping up at 105 to help save others.”
Bert is taking part in this year’s Melanoma March campaign, where Aussies are urged to leave their footprint on melanoma by buying a $30 digital footprint, personalising it with a message of support and sharing it on socials. Melanoma Institute Australia wants to cover Australia in digital footprints by the end of the month.
With no social accounts to share his personalised footprint, Bert is going ‘old school’ and will be leaving real footprints in his Northam Avenue backyard.
He’s not sure how many steps he’ll take, but the one-time ballroom dancer and avid gardener is confident he will get outside every day.
“This is my way of giving back, and my 105th birthday wish is for other Australians to help me by buying their own digital footprint and personalising it with a message of support,” Bert said.
To buy a digital footprint and watch Australia be progressively covered in footprints, go to
melanomamarch.org.au.
