The Balmoral Beach Club was greatly saddened by the death on 26 September 2011 of Erik Mather, a former Club Champion and Club Captain, at the early age of 45 from metastases melanoma.

 

Erik was Club Champion 1989-1991, Club Captain 1992-1995 and Iron Man Champion 1987-1988 and 1989-1992, a remarkable record. As Club Captain he was innovative, humorous and efficient - ever encouraging members to compete.

 

He has left a wonderful legacy to the community through the creation of the Balmoral Beach Club Nippers, now a most successful enterprise, with over 700 children participating in 2014-2015.

 

The 2,4,6 km invitational open water swim established by Erik in 1998, was renamed in 2013 by the Balmoral Beach Club in Erik's memory.

 

Last year the Balmoral Beach Club and friends raised over $12,000 for research into a cure for Melanoma. Erik would have been humbled by the wonderful turn out for the swim and the generosity from around the world in support for finding a cure for Melanoma.

 

Over the past year MIA seen many breakthroughs. They have launched a world-first clinical trial to investigate treatment regimes that could offer new hope to patients with melanoma that has spread to the brain. This trial compares drug combinations in patients who have metastatic brian tumours, and provides them with treatment options they would not otherwise have. They have also seen significant progress in research comparing immunotherapies in patients with advanced melanoma, this research helped support the case for Keytruda to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)- a major step forward in the accessibility of melanoma treatment.

 

We look forward to another great swim this year on Saturday 28th November 2015 at 8am. 

Balmoral Beach Club Members and friends participating in the race and those who enjoy being outdoors are invited to make a donation in support of the Melanoma Institute of Australia to aid the ongoing research for a cure for melanoma. All donations are electronically wired to Melanoma Institute Australia and an automatic receipt is emailed to you immediately.

 

Help make a difference by making a small donation - every contribution will help to reach the target this year of $12,000.00.

 

The Balmoral Beach Club and the Mather Family thanks you for your support.