Morgan’s story

Just 16 months earlier, Morgan was preparing to move to London when she went for a routine skin check.

Her world was turned upside down when a small mole on her ear was diagnosed as melanoma.

As Morgan wrote on her blog at the time: "There’s not much of a bigger vibe killer than being told you have cancer."

Morgan was a vibrant, generous young woman. After completing a double degree in Business Marketing and Arts at Monash University, she went on to work in advertising. 

Her supervisor during that time,  Jacqui Hilton, remembers Morgan as an inspiration to those around her.

"To meet Morgan was to be friends with her. She was a magnetic force, drawing people to her like moths to a flame with her genuine warmth, quick wit and wisdom beyond her years."

"I was lucky enough to meet Morgan at work and while I was almost 20 years her senior, we formed a strong bond very quickly. I learnt so much from her, not only about the nuances of social media, or the latest song I had to listen to, but about resilience, compassion and not taking anything for granted."

Morgan was an adventurer.  She went on an exchange program to Nottingham University during her third year of university, trekked around southern Europe, Morocco, Vietnam and Cambodia, and in the final year of her life travelled alone around Japan and the USA.

Morgan generously spent the final months of her life championing the importance of skin checks.

On her blog she wrote: "I can wholeheartedly tell you that getting a tan is NOT worth it. Do yourself a favour and get a skin check."

Committed to sharing her story in order to help those around the world with serious illness, one of her followers described Morgan:

"She wasn't a sad-sack about her illness, and you could tell that even though things were very serious and painful....when she was having a bad day she just would acknowledge that it was bad but keep looking forward to a better day."

In October 2018, Morgan reflected as her disease rapidly progressed:

“Feeling more and more crap each day. Shattering news by my treating oncologist saying the cancer has spread further and there is no hope. Spending my last days with my loved ones. There is literally no place that I would rather be than cuddled up with my mum, dad and brother,  surrounded by their love, warmth and strength."

Morgan tragically passed away on 22 October, 2018.

In Morgan’s memory, her parents Peter and Julie established Check for Spots Day on 30 January, to coincide with Morgan’s birthday. The Alfred is proud to help support Morgan’s legacy.

Detected early, most melanoma is curable. 

Check for spots and be all over melanoma.