Save Your Skin Foundation’s patient & caregiver support work focuses on three main areas:
-
Mental Wellness
-
Tools & resources such as Melanoma Connect, the “I’m Living Proof” platform & more
-
Melanoma, ocular melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers patient advisory panels
We strive to bring awareness to provide support through the entire continuum of care from diagnosis to survivorship, including maintaining health and wellness from a psychological and emotional perspective.
Our Work
Our team works tirelessly to help our patients & caregivers with tools to support them through a multitude of initiatives and projects, including:
- 1-on-1 patient support via email or phone at 1.800.460.5832
- Leading conversations on mental wellness after a diagnosis & offer resources
- Monthly patient support group meetings
- Monthly caregiver support group meetings
- Maintaining the I’m Living Proof initiative, which offers a multitude of resources information, and support
- Hosting our support network with new & existing members of the Melanoma Connect Group
- Hosting our support network with new & existing members of the Ocular Melanoma Connect Group
A Viking’s Challenge
In March of 2020, Chris Isfeld and his childhood friend Shawn Bjornsson completed a massive challenge. Three years after Chris was diagnosed with late stage melanoma and recovered from being partially paralyzed from the waist down, they ran 30km across frozen Lake Winnipeg and raised almost $20,000 for melanoma patients.
This year, Chris is aiming to be back on the lake with his friend Shawn, despite the ongoing treatments and side-effects that come with fighting a dangerous cancer. Chris is again showing amazing fearlessness and grit by challenging himself both physically and mentally. By joining A Viking’s Challenge and pledging to run or walk, you can make a powerful statement of support for Chris and fellow melanoma patients across Canada.
“I’m Living Proof”
The I’m Living Proof initiative is a program intended to provide a wealth of information, resources, and support to those touched by the disease, while also connecting you to a community of survivors who have shared their stories. This initiative is borne from Kathy’s desire to ensure that those diagnosed with melanoma know that surviving melanoma is possible –“I’m Living Proof”. Click here to learn more and view or Map of Stars.
Skin Cancer Patient Support Group Chats
On the first Thursday of every month, Save Your Skin Foundation hosts an evening support chat for patients, survivors and caregivers touched by melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and ocular melanoma. These chats are open discussions about life after a cancer diagnosis, including sharing experiences with varied treatment options, managing side effects, emotional and wellness support channels, navigating the healthcare system, and any other concern that patients and their families may have. Click here to learn more and view our upcoming dates.
Move for Melanoma
Move for Melanoma is an activity challenge that takes place across Canada. The goal of the event is to bring awareness to melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer and ocular melanoma, while raising funds to support patients affected with these diseases when they need it most.
Each year, participants are able to choose a physical challenge of their choice to complete on the weekend of the event. Participants will form teams and, together with their friends and family, try to reach their personal fundraising goals.
Ocumel Canada
Ocumel Canada, an initiative of Save Your Skin Foundation, was formed to increase awareness, advance treatment options, and build a supportive community for those diagnosed with primary and/or metastatic ocular melanoma (OM). Ocumel Canada is in close collaboration with a global Medical Advisory Board and partner patient representation organizations with the endeavour to build on international best practices to improve patient outcomes for Canadians touched by this disease.
