Fondation Sauve Ta Peau

Ce nouveau traitement est le premier et l'unique qui rallonge l'espérance de vie des Canadiens atteints de la forme la plus mortelle du cancer de la peau

VANCOUVER, COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE–(Marketwire – 8 fév. 2012) – Santé Canada a annoncé l'autorisation du YervoyMC (ipilimumab) pour le traitement du mélanome métastatique ou de stade avancé. Yervoy est le seul nouveau traitement du mélanome depuis ces dix dernières années et est le seul médicament qui a montré un rallongement significatif de la vie des patients vivant avec cette maladie. Le mélanome est la forme la plus mortelle du cancer de la peau. C'est également un des cancers qui progresse le plus vite au Canada.

"L'autorisation du Yervoy par Santé Canada donne de l'espoir aux Canadiens luttant pour vivre plus longtemps," explique Kathy Barnard, Fondatrice de la Fondation Save Your Skin. "C'est déchirant de voir autant de Canadiens perdre leur combat contre le mélanome, et comme la plupart des patients atteints du mélanome avancé ont une espérance de vie de moins d'un an le temps est essentiel. J'espère que tous les Canadiens qui en ont besoin auront accès à Yervoy dès que possible pour leur donner une chance de survivre à cette maladie."

Cette nouvelle a touché personnellement Barnard, qui mène sa propre lutte contre le mélanome. Barnard a été diagnostiquée pour la première fois en 2003 et en 2005 le mélanome malin de stade IV s'était propagé. On a découvert des tumeurs dans son poumon gauche, dans son rein, dans son foie et dans sa glande surrénale. En 2007 au travers d'une étude clinique Barnard a été traitée avec Yervoy et depuis elle est guérie de cette maladie.

"J'ai eu beaucoup de chance d'avoir accès à ce médicament," témoigne Barnard. "La sensibilisation et l'accès aux nouveaux traitements sont essentiels. C'est la raison pour laquelle je suis vivante aujourd`hui." Un des objectifs clés de Save Your Skin est de communiquer rapidement et à une échelle nationale sur les options de traitement disponibles.

Dans les stades avancés de la maladie, l'espérance de vie moyenne des patients atteints de mélanome n'excède pas six mois. Avec 25 pourcent des patients pouvant espérer vivre un an au plus, le mélanome métastasique est le cancer le plus agressif et la forme la plus mortelle de cancer de la peau.

On estime que 5,500 Canadiens seront diagnostiqués avec un mélanome cette année et que 950 en mourront. Le mélanome est responsable de 75 pourcent des décès associés au cancer de la peau. Grâce à Yervoy le taux de survie Kaplan-Meier après un an et après deux ans a presque doublé comparé aux patients traités avec le vaccin contre le cancer gp100. Avec Yervoy le taux de survie a été de 46 pourcent après un an et de 24 pourcent après deux ans contre 25 pourcent après un an et 14 pourcent après deux ans avec gp100. Yervoy a également permis a certains patients de vivre jusqu'à trois ou quatre ans au delà du traitement.

Yervoy offre une importante nouvelle option de traitement à ceux qui souffrent du mélanome avancé et le médicament donne un vrai espoir d'une survie à long terme.

À Propos du Mélanome au Canada

Tous les ans, des milliers de Canadiens sont diagnostiqués avec un mélanome. La fréquence de la maladie augmente ainsi plus rapidement que pour tout autre cancer. Le mélanome est la forme mortelle du cancer de la peau caractérisée par la prolifération incontrôlée des cellules qui produisent les pigments cutanés (mélanocytes). 1 homme sur 74 et 1 femme sur 90 sont susceptible de développer un cancer de la peau de type mélanome au cours de leur vie; 1 homme sur 284 et 1 femme sur 486 en mourront. Le mélanome est clairement visible à la surface de la peau. 90 pourcent de mélanomes sont causés par l'exposition aux rayons ultraviolets y compris les bancs solaires.

À Propos de YervoyMC

Yervoy (3 mg/kg) est indiqué pour le traitement du mélanome non résécable ou métastatique chez les patients qui ne tolèrent pas ou pour qui d'autre thérapies systémiques contre la maladie avancée ont échoué. Yervoy est un recombinant; un anticorps monoclonal humain. Il s'agit de la première immunothérapie de cancer autorisée pour le mélanome pour cibler le CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4), qui joue un rôle en supprimant la fonction normale du système immunitaire.

À Propos de la Fondation Save Your Skin

La Fondation Save Your Skin est une fondation à but non lucratif basée au Canada. Au travers d'évènements et de diverses initiatives, la fondation a pour objectif de collecter des fonds dédiés à l'éducation et à la sensibilisation, de proposer un soutien psychologique et financier aux patients atteints de mélanome et d'autres types de cancer de la peau, et de soutenir la recherche et les traitements contre le cancer de la peau – en particulier le mélanome.

Les dons servent à offrir des traitements rapides et primordiaux, ainsi qu'à l'éducation, à la recherche et aux initiatives pour la sensibilisation.

La Fondation Sauve Ta Peau renforce ses efforts pour s'adresser à plus de patients atteints de mélanome à travers le Canada.

MONTREAL, QC (27 Janvier 2012) – La Fondation Sauve Ta Peau a renforcé ses efforts pour s'adresser à un plus grand nombre de patients atteints de mélanome à travers le Canada en lançant son site web en français. Cette amélioration aidera à se connecter avec les patients ayant besoin de soutien et de ressources pour lutter contre cette maladie.

“Nous sommes extrêmement fiers d’avoir notre site web en anglais et en français,“ explique David Barnard, Directeur exécutif de la Fondation Sauve Ta Peau. “Cela nous offre la possibilité d’entrer en contact à la fois avec les Canadiens anglophones et francophones et nous espérons ainsi nous adresser à plus de patients atteints de mélanome et ayant besoin de soutien.” Selon la Société canadienne du cancer, environ 760 Canadiens vivant au Québec ont été diagnostiqués avec un mélanome en 2011.

À Propos du Mélanome au Canada

Tous les ans, des milliers de Canadiens sont diagnostiqués avec un mélanome. La fréquence de la maladie augmente ainsi plus rapidement que pour tout autre cancer. 1 homme sur 74 et 1 femme sur 90 sont susceptibles de développer un cancer de la peau de type mélanome au cours de leur vie ; 1 homme sur 284 et 1 femme sur 486 en mourront. Il est le type le plus grave de cancer de la peau, causant 75 pourcent des décès de personnes atteintes du cancer de la peau.

À Propos de la Fondation Sauve Ta Peau

La Fondation Sauve Ta Peau est une fondation à but non lucratif basée au Canada. Au travers d’évènements et de diverses initiatives, la fondation a pour objectif de collecter des fonds dédiés à l’éducation et à la sensibilisation, de proposer un soutien psychologique et financier aux patients atteints de mélanome et d’autres types de cancer de la peau, et de soutenir la recherche et les traitements contre le cancer de la peau – en particulier le mélanome.

Pour toute information complémentaire, merci de visiter www.saveyourskin.ca ou de contacter Birgit Simon au 604‐734‐4223.

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VANCOUVER, C.-B., le 16 juin 2011 – D’après un nouveau sondage réalisé par la Fondation Save Your Skin, la plupart des Canadiens (85 pour cent) savent que le mélanome est une forme de cancer de la peau, mais plus du tiers d’entre eux (35 pour cent) n’examinent jamais leur peau pour déceler la présence de grains de beauté et de taches pigmentées suspectes ou négligent de les faire évaluer.

Le mélanome compte parmi les cancers dont la fréquence augmente le plus rapidement dans le monde, mais comme il s’agit de l’un des seuls types de cancer tout de même assez visible sur la peau, le dépistage précoce est non seulement possible, mais aussi important pour assurer la réussite du traitement.

"Il est important de posséder les connaissances de base sur le mélanome et d’examiner régulièrement ses grains de beauté. Plus les anomalies sont portées rapidement à l’attention du médecin, plus les chances de survie sont grandes", explique Kathy Barnard, fondatrice de la Fondation Save Your Skin et elle-même atteinte d’un mélanome.

Les jeunes font particulièrement preuve de négligence en ce qui a trait à l’examen de leur peau pour déceler des signes de cancer, en dépit du fait que le mélanome soit le deuxième cancer en importance chez les personnes âgées de 15 à 34 ans . Selon le sondage, près de la moitié (46 %) des Canadiens de ce groupe d’âge n’examinent jamais leur peau pour déceler la présence de taches pigmentées anormales ou de grains de beauté. De plus, après avoir été informés que la fréquence des mélanomes a plus que triplé au cours des 30 dernières années plus de la moitié d’entre eux (52%) ne sont pas plus enclins ou sont seulement un peu plus enclins à examiner leurs peau.

"Le dépistage précoce est capital pour survivre au mélanome", affirme le Dr Claveau, dermatologue à Québec. Ces résultats sont inquiétants car ils démontrent que les jeunes Canadiens n’ont pas conscience de l’importance d’un examen fréquent de leur peau, et ce malgré l’incidence croissante de ce cancer chez les 15-34ans.

" Dans l’ensemble, les Canadiens ne prennent pas toutes les mesures nécessaires pour déceler à un stade précoce ce cancer clairement visible sur la peau. Parmi ceux qui surveillent régulièrement leur peau à la recherche de taches pigmentées anormales ou de grains de beauté suspects, près de la moitié (49 %) s’en remettent à leur médecin de famille comme principale ressource pour déceler d’éventuels mélanomes. En outre, moins d’une personne sur cinq (17 %) examine ou fait examiner chaque mois ses grains de beauté, comme le recommande l’Association canadienne de dermatologie.

Avec l’été officiellement entamé la semaine prochaine, la Fondation Save Your Skin continue d’insister sur l’importance du dépistage précoce du mélanome, et encourage tous les Canadiens à examiner régulièrement leur peau et celle de leurs proches.

"Faites-en une habitude ludique", suggère Kathy Barnard."Montrez à vos jeunes enfants comment procéder, prenez des photos ou préparez un album personnalisé afin qu’ils sachent ce qui doit les alerter et connaissent l’existence de la maladie. Entre conjoints, cette pratique peut être chaque mois le prétexte à un rendez-vous romantique permettant de marquer une pause fort appréciée dans le tourbillon de nos vies trépidantes."

Pour en savoir plus sur le mélanome et la façon de procéder pour bien examiner vos grains de beauté, visitez le site www.saveyourskin.ca.

À propos du mélanome au Canada

Tous les ans, des milliers de Canadiens reçoivent un diagnostic de mélanome, une maladie dont la fréquence augmente plus rapidement que celle de tout autre cancer. Ainsi, 1 homme sur 74 et 1 femme sur 90 sont susceptibles d’avoir un mélanome au cours de leur vie; 1 homme sur 284 et 1 femme sur 486 en mourront. Le mélanome est le type le plus grave de cancer de la peau et cause 75 % des décès attribuables au cancer de la peau. Malgré l'augmentation constante du nombre de personnes atteintes de mélanome métastatique (stade avancé), il n'existe actuellement au Canada aucun traitement permettant d’améliorer la survie des patients.

À propos de la Fondation Save Your Skin

La Fondation Save Your Skin a été créée par la famille, les amis et les collègues de la fondatrice, Kathy Barnard, qui lutte elle-même contre un mélanome. Save Your Skin est une fondation canadienne à but non lucratif. Elle a pour objectif de recueillir, au moyen de campagnes, d'événements et de diverses initiatives, des fonds destinés à l'éducation et à la sensibilisation du public, au soutien psychologique et financier des patients atteints d’un cancer de la peau, ainsi qu’au soutien de la recherche scientifique sur le cancer de la peau afin de contribuer à l'évolution des traitements contre cette maladie. Vos dons permettent à la fondation Save Your Skin de fournir en temps voulu les traitements nécessaires aux patients, de financer la recherche scientifique et de mettre en place des campagnes d'éducation et de sensibilisation. Pour toute information complémentaire, visitez le site http://www.saveyourskin.ca/ ou communiquez avec Marion Pérole, au 604-734-4223.

À propos du sondage

Les 18 et 19 mai 2011, Opinion publique Angus Reid a réalisé un sondage en ligne pour le compte de la Fondation Save Your Skin auprès de 1009 adultes canadiens choisis au hasard. La marge d'erreur, qui mesure la variabilité d'échantillonnage, est de +/- 3,1 %, 19 fois sur 20. Les résultats ont été statistiquement pondérés selon les plus récentes données de recensement sur l'éducation, l'âge, le sexe et la région afin d'assurer un échantillon représentatif de la population adulte canadienne. Les écarts dans ou entre les totaux sont dus aux arrondis.

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Another U.S. Approval of New Melanoma Treatment Offers More Hope for Canadians

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Aug. 18, 2011) – U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zelboraf (vemurafenib), a drug to treat patients with late-stage (metastatic) or unresectable (cannot be removed by surgery) melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Zelboraf is specifically indicated for the treatment of patients with melanoma whose tumors express a gene mutation called BRAF V600E. The drug has not been studied in patients whose melanoma tests negative for that mutation by an FDA approved diagnostic.

Zelboraf is being approved with a first-of-a-kind test called the cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test, a companion diagnostic that will help determine if a patient’s melanoma cells have the BRAF V600E mutation. The BRAF protein is normally involved in regulating cell growth, but is mutated in about half of the patients with late-stage melanomas. Zelboraf is a BRAF inhibitor that is able to block the function of the V600E-mutated BRAF protein. It is the first oral agent for metastatic melanoma.

« The discovery of Zelboraf represents another significant advance in the treatment of melanoma, » says Kathy Barnard, Founder of the Save Your Skin Foundation. « As there are few current patient options that extend life, we hope to soon celebrate its availability in Canada. »

This news hits a personal note for Barnard, who is currently fighting her own battle with melanoma. In 2003 Barnard was first diagnosed, and by 2005 stage IV malignant melanoma had spread. Tumors were found in her left lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland. Kathy is currently in remission but has recently been tested positive with the cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation test. « Zelboraf gives melanoma patients even more hope in their fight with melanoma, » says Barnard.

Zelboraf’s safety and effectiveness were established in a single international trial of 675 patients with late-stage melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation who had not received prior therapy. Patients were assigned to receive either Zelboraf or dacarbazine, another anti-cancer therapy. The trial was designed to measure overall survival (the length of time between start of treatment and death of a patient).

The median survival (the length of time a patient lives after treatment) of patients receiving Zelboraf has not been reached (77 percent still living) while the median survival for those who received dacarbazine was 8 months (64 percent still living).

« The approval of Zelboraf by the U.S. F.D.A. marks a major advance in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, » said Dr. Michael Smylie. « Metastatic melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers in humans and treatment until recently has been mostly futile. Melanoma patients now have an effective treatment option available to them with at least 50% of all patients getting a significant response, and future discoveries will hopefully be able to give even more successful treatment outcomes. »

About Melanoma in Canada

Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation

The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based not-for-profit Foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer. Donations go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

The Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and support to those affected by melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

VANCOUVER, BC (June 15, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation will host a Patient Information Symposium on Saturday, June 25^th, 2011 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The free Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists.

Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the information and resources available are still lacking. The Save Your Skin Foundation is working hard to change this. “One of our main objectives is to provide emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer”, explains David Barnard, Executive Director of Save Your Skin. David Barnard’s Mother, Kathleen Barnard (Founder, Save Your Skin) is currently battling melanoma.

Several leading experts will speak at the Symposium, including Dr. Michael Smylie (Medical Oncologist, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB), and Dr. Sasha Smiljanic (Medical Oncologist at the Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, BC). Dr. Joel Claveau, dermatologist at the Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions Clinic, CHUQ Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, in Quebec, has also been very supportive of the Save Your Skin Foundation. Claveau explains, « The Save Your Skin Foundation and events such as this [symposium] are critical to patients, and patient caregivers, who need quick access to information. The Foundation’s educational, emotional and financial assistance is a significant support to families. »

The details of the Symposium are below.

SAVE YOUR SKIN™ PATIENT INFORMATION SYMPOSIUM

• Date: Saturday, June 25^th, 2011
• Venue: Vancouver Art Gallery
• Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Details: Free patient information symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists

To register online, visit http://saveyourskinpatientsymposium.eventbrite.com/ or call Marion Pérole 604-734-4223.

About Melanoma in Canada

Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation

The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based not-for-profit Foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.

Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.

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For further information please contact:

Marion Pérole

Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing

T: 604-734-4223 or E: mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com

The Save Your Skin Foundation will host a meaningful breakfast on June 7th that may just save your life.

VANCOUVER, BC (May 24, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation will host an important fundraising breakfast on June 7th, which will help to raise much-needed funds and awareness in support of all skin cancers.
Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the average Canadian’s awareness of the disease remains insufficient for the increasing risk. The Save Your Skin Foundation aims to change this. The breakfast and silent auction are part of a larger campaign to ensure greater support, funds, and awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers throughout Canada.
“Our skin is the largest organ of our body and its health is the easiest to monitor,” explains Kathy Barnard, Save Your Skin’s Founder. “We are more familiar with our skin than any other organ, so we take it for granted. We need to protect our skin just like any other organ.” This tendency works against the fact that early detection of melanoma is crucial to chances of long-term survival.
Canadian celebrities, community leaders, and others have stepped forward to support Kathy Barnard in her fight against melanoma and will be attending the breakfast on June 7th. The Save Your Skin Foundation is honoured to have #1 selling Jazz musician Jill Barber, Two and a Half Men star Emmanuelle Vaugier, Gina Holden (Saw 3D), Karen Cliché (Vampire High, Flash Gordon), CFL retired linebacker Javier Glatt, Vancouver Canuck’s Legend Stan Smyl, and others, joining them at the breakfast.

Exclusive high value auction items have also been confirmed and the Foundation hopes this will help bring in further dollars to help those affected by melanoma.

KNOW THE SKIN YOU’RE IN™: A breakfast to save your skin, to save your life.

• Date: Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
• Venue: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver
• Registration and Silent Auction from 7:00am – 7:30am
• Breakfast and Guest Speakers from 7:30am – 9:00am
• Final Silent Auction Bidding from 9:00am – 9:30am
• Tickets: $125 per Individual or $1,250 for a Table
For tickets and information visit http://saveyourskinbreakfast.eventbrite.com/ or call 604-734-4223. The first person to purchase a table will also win tickets to the Sam Roberts Band concert on May 28th at the Malkin Bowl, Vancouver.

About Melanoma in Canada
Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma. The incidence of melanoma, the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer, has more than tripled over the last thirty years and continues to increase. Roughly 5,300 Canadian will be diagnosed with melanoma this year and 920 will die from the disease. Melanoma is one of the few cancers to affect young adults and is the second most common cancer amongst 15-34 year olds. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based not-for-profit Foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.
Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.
For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.

For further information please contact:
Marion Pérole
Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing
T: 604-734-4223
mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com

Following Recent U.S. Announcement, Save Your Skin Foundation Announces Don’t Fry Day in Canada

VANCOUVER, BC (May 26, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation, a Canadian based not-for-profit, declares Friday, May 27th, 2011 as ‘Don’t Fry Day’ in Canada. This day aligns with the original announcement of ‘Don’t Fry Day’ by the U.S. National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. With further efforts being made towards prevention and awareness, the Save Your Skin Foundation hopes to further critical awareness.
Summer days have arrived, and although there might be clouds in the sky, UV rays are getting stronger. The Save Your Skin Foundation has therefore designated the last Friday in May as ‘Don’t Fry Day’ to encourage sun safety.
No cancer, including melanoma, can ever be prevented with 100% certainty, but the good news is that early detection and prevention can dramatically reduce your risk. What you can do to be ‘sun-safe’:
• Always have sunscreen with you so you can apply it whenever an unplanned outdoor activity arises
• Use sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 whenever you are outdoors (even on grayer days)
• Wear protective clothing with long sleeves and wear hats and sunglasses
• Check for changes in moles, new moles and see you doctor right away if you see anything suspicious
• Limit sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm
• Do not use tanning beds, use sunless self-tanning products instead

Skin cancer is highly curable if detected early, so remember to follow sun-safety guidelines. There are many options for light breathable sun-safe clothing, organic sunscreens, and natural vitamin D sources. It’s never been easier to protect oneself from harmful UV rays. The Save Your Skin Foundation has come across many great companies such as uvprotectiveapparel.com, kinesys.ca, coolasuncare.com, shadesailscanada.com, and solise.com.

Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Everyone, irrelevant of skin tone, can be at risk for skin cancer. To reduce the harmful effects of excessive and unprotected sun exposure, protection from UV radiation should be a life-long practice.

The Save Your Skin Foundation focuses on education and awareness, as well as providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer. In June, the Foundation will host two events, one of which will occur during Canada’s National Sun Awareness Week. The event, on June 7th, will host celebrities, media, those affected by skin cancer, and many others to a breakfast and silent auction at the beautiful Fairmont Pacific Rim. Luxury ‘sun-safe’ gift bags, special guest speakers, and door prizes are some of the elements guests will enjoy.

For those wishing to purchase tickets, they can do so at http://saveyourskinbreakfast.eventbrite.com/ or call 604-734-4223. One lucky ticket purchaser will also win tickets and backstage passes to the Sam Roberts Band on May 28th at the Malkin Bowl, Vancouver.

For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.

For further information please contact:
Marion Pérole
Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing
T: 604-734-4223 or E: mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com

U.S. approval of first new melanoma treatment in over a decade represents hope for Canadians

VANCOUVER, BC (March 25, 2011) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today it has approved Yervoy (ipilimumab) to treat metastatic (advanced) melanoma. It is the first new treatment for the disease in more than 10 years, and is the only medicine proven to significantly extend lives of patients living with the disease. Health Canada is reviewing Yervoy for use in Canada and the Save Your Skin Foundation hopes this approval will happen soon.

“The discovery of Yervoy represents a significant advance in the treatment of melanoma,” says Kathy Barnard, Founder of the Save Your Skin Foundation. “As there are no current patient options that extend life, we hope to soon celebrate its availability in Canada.”

This news hits a personal note for Barnard, who is currently fighting her own battle with melanoma. In 2003 Barnard was first diagnosed, and by 2005 stage IV malignant melanoma had spread. Tumors were found in her left lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland. With available treatments proving ineffective, Barnard researched other options and Yervoy (ipilimumab) was available in Canada through a clinical study.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have had access to this medication,” says Barnard. “Awareness and access to new treatments is critical. Without countless hours of research, my family wouldn’t have found clinical studies, and I wouldn’t be alive today”. One of the key objectives of Save Your Skin is to create national awareness of available treatment options, so other families don’t have to go through what Barnard’s family did.

In its late stages, the average life expectancy for melanoma is just six months, with a one-­‐year survival rate of only 25%, making metastatic melanoma one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. It has also been largely unresponsive to treatment.

“Advanced melanoma is largely unresponsive to treatments we currently have available,” said Dr. Michael Smylie. “The responses we’ve seen with ipilimumab mark an important paradigm shift in the treatment of melanoma that gives us a chance to provide long-­‐lasting responses for patients.”

Evidence published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows that overall survival was significantly improved for advanced melanoma patients treated with Yervoy. The one and two year estimated survival rates for patients treated with Yervoy were 46% and 24%, respectively, which is nearly double that of the control group.

If approved in Canada, Yervoy would provide advanced melanoma suffers with an important new treatment option, the first in over a decade.

About Melanoma in Canada
Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based not-­‐for-­‐profit Foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer. Donations go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

The two events, planned to raise awareness of melanoma, come at a critical time as the incidence of the disease increases faster than any other cancer

VANCOUVER, April 5 /CNW/ - The Save Your Skin Foundation announced two highly anticipated events today. A prestigious fundraising breakfast, in early June, will help to raise much-needed funds in support of all skin cancers. A free ‘Patient Information Symposium’, later in the month, will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists.

Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the average Canadian’s awareness of the disease remains insufficient for the increasing risk. The Save Your Skin Foundation aims to change this. These two events are a part of a larger campaign to ensure greater support, funds, and awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers throughout Canada.

« Our skin is the largest organ of our body and its health is the easiest to monitor, » explains Kathy Barnard, Save Your Skin’s Founder. « We tend to be more familiar with our skin than any other organ and yet, because of our familiarity, we tend to take our skin for granted. When it is under duress, we do not get particularly concerned. » This tendency works against the fact that early detection of melanoma is crucial to the chances of long-term survival.

The Save Your Skin Foundation will host the fundraising breakfast on June 7th and the Patient Information Symposium on June 25th. These events are made possible through the financial support of our proud sponsors.

KNOW THE SKIN YOU’RE IN™: A breakfast to save your skin, to save your life.

Date: Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
Venue: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver
Registration and Silent Auction from 7:00am – 7:30am
Breakfast and Guest Speakers from 7:30am – 9:00am
Final Silent Auction Bidding from 9:00am – 9:30am
Tickets: $125 per Individual or $1,250 for a Table

SAVE YOUR SKIN™ Patient Information Symposium

Date: Saturday, June 25th, 2011
Venue: Vancouver Art Gallery
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Details: Free patient information symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists. For tickets and information call 604-734-4223 or email mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com.

About Melanoma in Canada
Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based not-for-profit Foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.

Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.