Winter 2024 Newsletter
Melanoma Canada
We support individuals whose lives have been changed by melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
View the published newsletter at: https://conta.cc/3UP5sZu
Parlez-vous fran?ais ? Visitez : https://conta.cc/3OTPnxW
MESSAGE FROM CEO - FALYN KATZ
A New Year
A New year brings fresh opportunities for Melanoma Canada to make a meaningful impact on the skin cancer community. Looking back on our achievements in 2023, we’re grateful for the support of our generous contributors. Thanks to you, our programs and services are driving us closer to our vision of zero melanoma and skin cancer related deaths. Continue Reading
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
Welcome Back, Mary Zawadzki!
We’re thrilled to welcome back Mary from maternity leave. She resumes her role as Manager, Patient Support and Education. Mary is a certified cancer coach, bringing years of experience, passion, and dedication to serving our community.
Joining our team full-time is Abigail Wiggin!
Abbie, who took over for Mary during her leave, previously?interned for Melanoma Canada while completing her studies in Health Systems Navigation. Abbie now joins us full-time as Manager, Public Engagement and Health Promotion, overseeing Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile Tours and helping drive public awareness initiatives.
Introducing Dr. Mario Chevrette, Chair of the Board of Directors at Melanoma Canada.
For 20 years, he had a laboratory in the Department of Urology at McGill University, working on prostate cancer. He spent over 10 years volunteering with the Cancer Research Society (a non-for-profit organization funding cancer research in Canada) and became its scientific director. Read More
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FUNDRAISING & EVENTS
Take the 7 Summits for Skin Cancer Challenge this February
It's not too late to take the 7 Summits Snowshoe Challenge for Skin Cancer presented by Neutrogena. Until February 29th, challenge yourself from anywhere to snowshoe, run, hike, or ski the combined distance of the world's tallest 7 summits. That's 43.29 KM or as many as you can.
Your participation will help us raise awareness for winter sun safety and funds to help support the melanoma and skin cancer community.
But wait, there's more! Join us for Snowshoe, Sip and Savour, a family-friendly 5 KM snowshoe adventure featuring celebrity chefs and more, on March 3rd at Hardwood Bike and Ski in Ontario's Lake Country. Grab your ticket today and use promo code HARDWOOD50 to receive a 50% discount.
Don't miss out on these opportunities, learn more at 7summits.ca.
Help Smash Out Skin Cancer in Montreal on April 27, 2023
Get your paddle ready and join us for our Smash Out Skin Cancer Pickleball Tournament at Lower Canada College on April 27th to help save lives! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, we invite players of all ages and abilities to participate in this incredible celebrity pickleball tournament.?The top 3 fundraising teams will get to play a bonus round against Hollywood actors, Billy Baldwin and John O'Hurley!
Strides for Melanoma on May 26, 2024
On Sunday, May 26th, join hundreds of Canadians from coast to coast to participate in Strides for Melanoma - the largest event dedicated to melanoma and skin cancer awareness in Canada. Take strides to stop skin cancer by walking, running, or strolling in your community outside of peak UV hours between 3:00 and 5:00 pm local time.
In celebration of World Cancer Day, which was on February 4th, we are offering?free registration until February 29th?for the 2024 Strides for Melanoma event.
PATIENT STORIES + NEWS
Art Dueck, My Nodular Melanoma Story
Hello, my name is Art, and I’m 64 years old. I grew up in the prairies and have always been an outdoors person. During my childhood, we played and worked outside with minimal concerns about the potential effects of prolonged sun exposure on our skin. Read Art's Story
Sean Wachter, Fight Forever: A Melanoma Survivor’s Journey?
My name is Sean Wachter, and I am a proud melanoma survivor and cancer advocate. I moonlight as a professional wrestler, using this platform to inspire my fellow cancer warriors to fight harder and live fuller. If I can achieve that, my battle was worth it, and I would relive it all in a heartbeat.?Read Sean's Story
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Style Up for Melanoma: 10 Celebs Rocking Winter Fashion
Winter is here, and it's chilly! Let's talk about what some famous people are wearing. Do you want to see how cool celebrities dress in winter? These superstars not only look great but also stand as advocates, survivors, or fighters in the battle against skin cancer. Let's take a look at their styles! Read Now
Winter Sun Safety Tips with Dr. Julia Carroll
Even during the harsh Canadian winters, 88% of the sun’s rays still reach the earth’s surface, penetrating dark cloud coverage. To reduce your risk of skin cancer, and protect your skin all year round, it is important to use multiple modes of sun protection. Continue Reading
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领英推荐
Mole Mobile 2024
Because of you, we were able to raise?$15,584?for our?Mole Mobile,?Canada's first mobile skin cancer screening unit this past Giving Tuesday. But, that's not all! Thanks to the incredible matching gifts from the generous Billy Baldwin and our dedicated Board of Directors, our grand total soared to?$25,584!!
With that said, we are proud to announce the continuation of our mobile skin cancer screening unit, extending its skin cancer screening services to communities in Quebec and British Columbia in May 2024.
The 2024 Mobile Mole tour, presented by Neutrogena, aims to make skin cancer screenings more accessible, particularly for remote, Indigenous, and underserved communities, as well as major cities with long wait times to see a dermatologist.
To learn more, view upcoming locations, and donate, visit www.molemobile.ca.
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TREATMENT UPDATES
Unresectable & Metastatic Treatment Update
During the summer months, we conducted a survey among patients and caregivers to explore a new combination therapy for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Nivolumab (Opdivo), which many of you may recognize as an already approved treatment for melanoma, has been combined with a new therapy called Relatlimab?(Opdualag).?Relatlimab is a first-in-class human IgG4 LAG-3–blocking antibody that binds to LAG-3 and restores the effector function of exhausted T cells (the cells that help fight disease, including cancer). This combination has had positive results in treating unresectable and metastatic melanoma patients. Read more.
Breakthrough new immunotherapy for uveal melanoma
Kimmtrak (tebentafusp), a breakthrough new immunotherapy indicated for unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma, was recently added to the public drug plan in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario for reimbursement. Read more.
Thank you for completing two Melanoma Surveys
We are grateful for those who completed our two melanoma surveys this winter on: Neoadjuvant Treatment Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and the Combination Therapy Nivolumab and Ipilimumab. Your feedback can help approve new treatment options for advanced unresectable or metastatic melanoma in Canada. Thank you for your support!
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SUPPORT & RESOURCES
Cancer Coaching
Being diagnosed with cancer can be a life altering experience for many people that often pushes someone to a place of unwanted changes in their lives. Meeting with a Cancer Coach can provide one-on-one support to help identify areas of desired change, set goals and make an agreed upon plan to work towards that change. Learn more and book an appointment today.
Facebook Support Groups
Connect with other melanoma and skin cancer patients or caregivers in a private, safe, and monitored platform. We offer disease specific groups for skin cancer and melanoma, as well as grief and caregiver support groups. Our groups are designed to offer vital community and connection. Join a Facebook Support Group
OTHER NEWS
Calendar of Events
February - 7 Summits Snowshoe Challenge for Skin Cancer
March 3rd - Snowshoe, Sip, & Savour, Buy tickets
May 26th - Strides for Melanoma, Register for free!
June 1st - Strides Sunset Celebration
June 16th - Yorkville Exotic Car Show
Volunteers Needed
Our peer-to-peer support program is in need of peer mentors.
Contact Mary to learn more at [email protected]
Ways to Give
Explore all of our giving options or make a direct donation.
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