Date: February 14, 2009
Author:

Pike warns on sun danger

Retired professional golfer Fiona Pike is fronting a campaign to encourage golfers and spectators to protect their skin at this week s Women’s Australian Open. Pike, who was diagnosed with a melanoma in 2006, is on site with a team of volunteers who are running the Fiona Pike Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign. For more than 13 years I enjoyed an endless summer following the pro golf tour across the globe which ensured career highlights of third in the British Open and runner-up in the Italian Open, said Pike, who is now largely wheelchair bound due to her condition. She was unlucky enough to be part of the one percent of those diagnosed with melanomas to experience no warning signs and underwent a major operation. Despite the fact that her melanoma was not caused by skin exposure to ultraviolet rays, she is spreading the skin cancer awareness message to all of those who go out in the sun. Golfers such as Laura Davies, Katherine Hull and Karrie Webb have endorsed her efforts by taking part in autograph signings at her site in the tented village at Metropolitan Golf Club. Pike was a popular player on both the Ladies European and LPGA Tours and has the support of many other players and former players, including Nadina Light, Alison Munt and Nicola Moult. Donations to the Fiona Pike Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign will be used to spread the message and to benefit the lives of those directly affected by the disease.