Diagnosed with advanced melanoma in August 2015, Lyall Woznesensky has learned that every minute of every day is precious, and he thanks his family and friends for their care and support through his cancer experience.
In time to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 4, 2017, four Canadian patients living with advanced cancer are sharing their stories to help bring awareness to the hope for survivorship that is more accessible in this day and age, due to innovative new medical treatments. Through documentary-style photo essays, a new campaign called #CancerChanged will bring to life these stories, to highlight hope and survivorship through the lens of Canadian award-winning photojournalists.
#CancerChanged gives an authentic glimpse into the lives of people living longer with advanced cancer to foster hope, understanding and peer-to-peer support. This series of photographs, anecdotes, and video interviews will be shared in the coming days across social media channels, and through the networks of oncology patient organizations which are part of the collective called CONECTed.
“This is a time of change and a time of hope. Cancer patients have been dreaming about hope — and now hope is real.” said Kathy Barnard, Member of CONECTed steering committee and President and Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation, the patient advocacy group that has led the creation of CONECTed. “New advances in cancer treatment have changed the outlook for many cancer patients. This extended phase is what we call survivorship and it poses new challenges such as how patients transition from a terminal diagnosis to a redefined ‘normal’ life embracing quality time and hope.” See press release here
Lyall is open about his experience since learning that he has advanced skin cancer, “It’s all about trying to help others if I can in any small way,” he says, candidly, of his participation in #CancerChanged and bringing awareness to melanoma in general. Recently Lyall was a guest panelist on a webinar hosted by Save Your Skin Foundation: Living Beyond Cancer. Click here to watch the webinar.
To see more of Lyall’s impactful story, please see his photo essay below. To see all of the #CancerChanged stories, please visit the #CancerChanged website here. Click here for more information about CONECTEd, and to read about National Cancer Survivors day, click here.
Lyall was also interviewed for this article in the Winnipeg Sun: Former Bomber Finds Perspective in Cancer Fight
And here: “The Woz” jumps for joy after tackling cancer, Saskatoon StarPheonix.
