It’s not every day one gets to meet a reigning monarch and Adam Brown of Avoca Beach and his family are still processing the fact they got to have a lengthy chat with His Majesty King Chales III this week.
A survivor of Stage IV melanoma, Brown was invited to meet King Charles during the monarch’s visit to Melanoma Institute Australia’s (MIA) The Poche Centre at Wollstonecraft on October 22.
“It was quite a surreal experience to be honest,” Brown said.
“When I was invited I wasn’t sure if any words would be exchanged but King Charles was quite interested in talking to me, my wife and children.
“He asked initially about how long ago I started my treatment.
“I told him I was first diagnosed 10 years ago and outlined my initial surgeries and the fact I was lucky enough to be the first patient on a combination immunotherapy clinical trial.
“The King wanted to know about side-effects and I told him there were none; he was very happy to hear that.
“Then he wanted to know about our lifestyle and where we lived.
“I told him I lived in God’s country at Avoca Beach, which made him laugh.”
Brown said the King joked with his children, Gracie Georgina, 6, and Harry, 9, about the possibility of getting into trouble for missing school to meet him.
“He was very approachable,” Brown said.
“We were told he might not offer his hand and we should just bow our heads but he shook hands with all of us.
“He seemed to have conversations with everyone present although it was a bit of a whirlwind visit.
“I am not a passionate royalist but was happy to meet with the King to get the message out about melanoma treatment.
“We didn’t tell the children about the meeting until that morning.
“My son was a bit overwhelmed but my daughter, who is very comfortable in crowds, felt quite at home and chatted with the King very naturally.
“They both realised what an amazing opportunity it was to meet the King.”
Brown said the subject of the monarch’s own cancer treatment did not arise.
The King spent 30 minutes at the institute, where he was given an insight into melanoma early detection, diagnosis and treatment advances by MIA Co-Medical Directors and 2024 Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer.
Brown, 44, first saw Professor Long 10 years ago and was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma (of the lung) in 2014; he was the first patient put on a combination immunotherapy clinical trial.
At the time, his wife Kristy was pregnant with their first child.
Brown had a complete response to the drug therapy but in 2019 the melanoma returned, this time spreading to his brain.
He received immunotherapy treatment and again had a complete response with his brain metastases disappearing.
The Browns went on to have their second baby, whom they named Gracie Georgina in Professor Long’s honour.
Brown said he was delighted to see the King presented with the gift of an iconic broad-brimmed hat, putting the international spotlight on sun safety.
“Melanoma is largely preventable by being sun safe,” he said.
Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world but due to research breakthroughs led by MIA, the survival rate for advanced melanoma has increased from less than 5 per cent a decade ago to now more than 55 per cent.
MIA CEO Matthew Browne said the institute’s world-leading work is a true collaborative effort.
“I was delighted that Adam, Kristy and their children were able to be here on behalf of all melanoma patients, and also on behalf of our extremely supportive and passionate Melanoma March Central Coast participants,” he said.
Brown recently received the all clear following his latest four-monthly scan and remains cancer free.
He works from home recruiting professionals in the commercial property world.
His wife Kristy is currently organising the next Central Coast Melanoma March, set for March next year.
Terry Collins
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