Who is a Caregiver?

A carer (also referred to as a caregiver or family caregiver) is a person who takes on an unpaid caring role for someone who needs help because of a physical or cognitive condition, an injury or a chronic life-limiting illness. (CarersCanada.ca)

We have assembled the below list of resources to help caregivers throughout their journey – the journey that comes with having a loved one diagnosed with cancer.  We understand that the caregiver of a melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, or ocular melanoma patient is just as vulnerable as the patient themselves, if not even more so.  The emotional, mental, physical, and financial toll should not be underestimated, from diagnosis to survivorship. Save Your Skin Foundation wishes to bring hope and support to the caregivers of all those newly diagnosed with skin cancer, currently undergoing treatment, or to those “in remission” or referred to as “NED” – with no evidence of disease.

 

HAND IN HAND, WE FIGHT SKIN CANCER TOGETHER.

SYSF has teamed up with Canadian app creator Zamplo to provide a secure platform for patients and caregivers to easily track their cancer journey, medical appointments and details, clinical records, and symptoms.

Create a ‘virtual binder’ that patients and/or caregivers can access from anywhere, Scan/upload documents from your medical appointments, write daily journal entries to express your thoughts, feelings and emotions, generate reports for your symptoms, medications and questions to help guide your conversation with your doctor.

Download App >>

Organize Support for Anyone, Anywhere. Whether you want to arrange for home-cooked meals, start a gift card train, or just learn more about how to support someone through their big circumstances, Give InKind brings together all of the tools that you need to support anyone, from anywhere — for free. Create a free Give InKind Page in minutes, share with friends and family, and get support when and where it’s needed most.

We especially like the Care Calendar feature, where you can enter the items you need help with, and then let others sign up to help with meals, rides, child care, dog walks, and more.

Established in 2000, Carers Canada reinforces the national and international movement to ensure the recognition and inclusion of carers in social policy.  Their vision is “a Canada that recognizes, respects, and values the integral role of carers in society”.

Learn more >>

Huddol

Canadian-created Huddol is a supportive community of caregivers connecting with other caregivers in a secure, private, online platform.  Click here to learn more: Be the strong you | Huddol

With Love, Me

Introducing “With Love, Me” a new program featuring powerful stories written by cancer survivors and caregivers. “With Love, Me” cancer survivors and caregivers write moving letters to their former selves

These are the courageous stories of people who have faced cancer — either as loving caregivers or fierce survivors — who are now sharing their hard-earned wisdom in letters to their former selves in “With Love, Me,” presented by Merck’s Your Cancer Game Plan.  Click here to visit the website at With Love, Me

Listed above are a few sources of information and support you might find useful. These groups are not connected to Save Your Skin Foundation. We are providing the links as useful sources of information but do not monitor content for accuracy and quality.

NOTE: The information on the Save Your Skin website is not intended to replace the medical advice of a doctor or healthcare provider. While we make every effort to ensure that the information on our site is as current as possible, please note that information and statistics are subject to change as new research and studies are published. 

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Making awareness and education available is crucial. Since 2006, the Foundation has worked to raise awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers focusing on education, prevention and the need for improved patient care.