This week's Newsmaker is Molemap Rotorua melanographer Lara Wild. We reported this week on the growing number of Rotorua residents having their skin checked.
Tell us about yourself:
Mother of two lovely daughters. Wife of the delightful Tim. I grew up in Rotorua and lived in London for many years where
I worked at the prestigious Harley Street Clinic, specialising in nuclear medicine. We moved back to Auckland but I decided I didn't want to spend my children's first five years in a traffic jam.
I love sport - I'd rather play than watch. I love to cook (actually I think it's the eating I might like best). I also love movies (I used to make them myself years ago). I try to fill every moment of every day, and I'll say yes to almost anything.
In my spare time, I was volunteer at the Rotorua Tennis Club as secretary for 12 years (along with some other roles over the years) and support the club - especially the juniors who are the most amazing bunch of kids who I adore watching mature both in tennis and in life.
I feel furious that we lose more New Zealanders to skin cancers each year than in road accidents.
If I am not mapping, talking, or educating folks about moles, you will find me on the tennis court (sometimes doing both at the same time).
What are the best tips for sun safety?
Hat, shirt, sunscreen. If you keep the sun off your skin, your chances of growing a skin cancer will be greatly reduced.
Make sure your lip balm has sunscreen in it. Re-apply sunscreen regularly.
With regular surveillance and education we can save so many lives.
What do you love about your job?
My patients are fabulous - they feel like my family. My motivation is to ensure early detection of melanomas while their chance of survival is excellent.
I also love to teach people about their skin. With no national education initiative, people don't always have the tools to keep their skin safe or detect skin cancers early, so if I can teach people even just a little bit about their skin there is a better chance of New Zealanders saving each other's lives too.
What have been your biggest achievements?
Seeing the number of patients who choose to have their skin checked in Rotorua grow hugely each year since 2008. Fundraising over $200,000 to enable the resurfacing of the Rotorua Tennis Club courts in 2005. Raising two well grounded, honest, kind daughters.
