Save Your Skin Foundation & OPHA launch 2nd annual Hair Heroes Challenge

TORONTO – February 27th, 2024

The Hair Heroes Challenge is a social media campaign that aims to spread awareness about Sty-Lives, an initiative that teaches hairstylists and students how to check their client’s scalps for skin cancer.

Canada-wide news release

Stage IV melanoma patient to run across Lake Winnipeg to raise funds for skin cancer patients

TORONTO – January 15th, 2024

From March 1-3, 2024, Save Your Skin Foundation will host the 5th annual A Viking’s Challenge, a hybrid event where participants can pledge kilometers and run across Lake Winnipeg or participate virtually to raise money for skin cancer patients across Canada.

Canada-wide news release

The 5th annual Move for Melanoma aims to raise $75,000 to help Canadian skin cancer patients reach treatment. 

TORONTO – September 1st, 2023

Move for Melanoma is an annual event happening on September 22-24, 2023 that encourages individuals to form teams and participate in the physical activity of their choice to help patients of melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer and ocular/uveal melanoma. This year, SYSF is proud to announce that the event is endorsed by Vancouver Canuck JT Miller.

Canada-wide news release

Pilot Project Launches 30 Free Public Sunscreen Dispensers in Municipalities Across Canada

TORONTO – June 1, 2023

This summer, 30 additional public sunscreen dispensers are coming to locations across Canada as part of a pilot project to fight skin cancer by making sunscreen more accessible.

Canada-wide news release

Penticton, BC press release
New Westminster, BC press release
Grand Bay-Westfield, AB press release
New Brunswick Fairs and Exhibitions press release
Riverview, NB press release
Richmond, BC press release

STAGE IV MELANOMA PATIENT RUNNING ACROSS FROZEN LAKE WINNIPEG, AGAIN!

WINNIPEG – Feb. 20, 2023

Save Your Skin Foundation’s ‘A Viking’s Challenge 4th Edition’ is here, and this year they’re back on the ice to raise funds for fellow melanoma and skin cancer patients once again

In the very first ‘A Viking’s Challenge’ event in 2020, Chris Isfeld and his childhood friend Shawn Bjornsson completed a massive challenge. Three years after being diagnosed with late stage melanoma and becoming partially paralyzed from the waist down, Chris and Shawn raced each other 30km across frozen Lake Winnipeg and raised almost $20,000 for melanoma patients.

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Canucks to Hold Hockey Fights Cancer Night

VANCOUVER – December 2, 2022

The Save Your Skin Foundation will receive special focus during the evening

The Vancouver Canucks will host Hockey Fights Cancer night on Saturday, December 3 when the team takes on the Arizona Coyotes. This night culminates the month-long awareness campaign through the month of November that is supported by all 32 teams in the NHL and unites the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families. Together, we look to inspire hope and courage for those who are living with, going through, and moving past cancer.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Applauds Health Canada’s Approval of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Treatment for Adults and Children with Stage IIB or IIC Melanoma Following Complete Resection

TORONTO – Sept 13, 2022

Health Canada has granted approval for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma following complete resection.  This approval is based on the results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trial, which demonstrated significant improvement in recurrence-free survival.

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4th Annual Move For Melanoma Aims to Raise $75,000 to Help Canadian Skin Cancer Patients Reach Treatment

VANCOUVER – Sept 6, 2022

Move For Melanoma has already reached over 30% of its 2022 goal to raise $75,000 to benefit melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and ocular melanoma patients

The project has been powered by Save Your Skin Foundation and medical student Samuel Farag, with support from the municipalities of Summerside, PEI, Riverview, NB, Brooks,  AB, and New Westminster, BC – as well as BC Cancer.

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Pilot Project Launches Free Public Sunscreen Dispensers in Municipalities Across Canada

TORONTO – August 2, 2022

Multiple locations confirmed in the municipalities of Summerside, PEI, Riverview, NBNew Westminster, BC and Brooks, AB with more to come in other provinces this summer as part of a pilot project to fight skin cancer by making sunscreen more accessible.

The project has been powered by Save Your Skin Foundation and medical student Samuel Farag, with support from the municipalities of Summerside, PEI, Riverview, NB, Brooks,  AB, and New Westminster, BC – as well as BC Cancer.

Canada-wide news release

New Westminster, BC press release
Summerside, PEI press release
Riverview, NB press release

Ocumel Canada and Save Your Skin Foundation Applaud Health Canada’s approval of KIMMTRAK® (tebentafusp) for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

TORONTO – June 10, 2022

Earlier this week, Health Canada granted a Notice of Compliance (NOC) for KIMMTRAK® (tebentafusp) for the treatment of an aggressive form of ocular melanoma, closely following approvals in the United States, Australia, and the European Union.

Thank you to all patients and their caregivers who shared their experience and feedback to this process. Now we hope that every province and territory will take swift steps to list this drug on their public formularies in order to make this therapy available to patients across Canada.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Runs Local, National And International Campaigns To Increase Skin Cancer Awareness During Melanoma Awareness Month

TORONTO – April 29, 2022

The Foundation has partnered with the Ontario Professional Hairstylist Association, 26 cities across Canada and the Global Melanoma Coalition to bring skin cancer prevention and detection campaigns to the public this year.

May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It is imperative that Canadians be reminded of the importance of sun safety as summer approaches.

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New Sty-Lives (Styling Hair & Saving Lives) Program Empowers and Educates Hairstylists and Barbers to Detect Suspicious Skin Lesions on Their Clients

TORONTO – Dec. 6, 2021

Save Your Skin Foundation teams up with two Ontario medical students to launch Sty-Lives (Styling Hair & Saving Lives), aimed at increasing early detection of skin cancer

A new program has just launched to educate and support hairstylists and barbers to detect suspicious skin lesions on the ears, face, and scalp of their clients. Through the Sty-Lives program and video, participating salons and barbershops are provided with training materials and resources, and are taught how to detect suspicious spots.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Applauds Health Canada for Approval of Libtayo® (cemiplimab) for Locally Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma (laBCC) Patients

TORONTO – Nov. 5, 2021

Save Your Skin Foundation is pleased to announce that Health Canada has approved Libtayo® (cemiplimab) for patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (LaBCC), previously treated with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI).

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Move For Melanoma Teams Up with Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller to Raise $75,000 to Help Canadian Skin Cancer Patients Reach Treatment

VANCOUVER – Sept 7, 2021

Save Your Skin Foundation is hosting the 3rd annual MOVE FOR MELANOMA event with support from JT and Natalie Miller to benefit melanoma patients across Canada

Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) is hosting the 3rd annual MOVE FOR MELANOMA event over the weekend of September 25 – 26, 2021, this year with the support of Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller and his wife Natalie. 

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Media Advisory: Sun Safety Tips for Expected BC Heat Wave this Weekend

VANCOUVER – JUNE 24, 2021

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The Alberta Society of Melanoma Merges with Save Your Skin Foundation to Better Serve Canadian Melanoma and Skin Cancer Patients

EDMONTON – June 21, 2021

After many years of providing support to melanoma patients and caregivers, the Alberta Society of Melanoma is merging with national organization Save Your Skin Foundation

Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) is pleased to announce the merge of Alberta Society of Melanoma with SYSF, effective June 21, 2021. The highest priority of both organizations has always been to provide support and up-to-date information to melanoma and skin cancer patients and caregivers.

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Public Awareness Campaign Prompts 50 Canadian Municipalities to Proclaim May 2021 ‘Melanoma Awareness Month’

VANCOUVER – May 13, 2021

Save Your Skin Foundation tackles rising skin cancer rates with Canada-wide awareness campaign during Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) has invited municipalities across the country to proclaim May ‘Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month’ to bring greater awareness to the dangerous disease. 

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Save Your Skin Foundation Teams up with Vancouver Canucks’ JT Miller to Spread Message of Sun Safety Amid Rising Skin Cancer Rates

VANCOUVER – April 28, 2021

Recent survey shows more than half of Canadians don’t realize even small amounts of sun exposure without protection can lead to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer

May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It is imperative that Canadians be reminded of the importance of sun safety as summer approaches. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to force many Canadians to stay home, people are spending more time than usual outdoors without understanding the risks associated with sun exposure.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Applauds Health Canada’s Approval of BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) to be used in combination with MEKTOVI® (binimetinib) for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma with a BRAF V600 Mutation

VANCOUVER – March 31, 2021 

Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) gathered and submitted patient feedback on the targeted therapy Braftovi™ in combination with Mektovi® for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation. SYSF also supported health care providers with their Clinician Input submissions for this treatment.

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Cancer Patients Support Premiers’ Call for Long Overdue Increase to Canada Health Transfer

TORONTO – March 9, 2021 

Canadians can no longer afford to wait for the healthcare and services they desperately need and deserve

Cancer patients and their representatives from across Canada today applauded their provincial Premiers for calling on the Federal Government to increase Canada Health Transfer payments from the present 22% to 35% of health spending.

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Melanoma Survivor to Run 30KM Across Frozen Lake Winnipeg for a Second Time 

 WINNIPEG – Feb 16, 2021

After raising almost $20,000 last year, Chris Isfeld is inviting friends to channel their inner Viking and join him by running any distance of their choice anywhere in Canada on March 6 – 7, 2021.

Last March, Chris Isfeld completed a massive challenge. Three years after being diagnosed with late stage melanoma and becoming partially paralyzed from the waist down, he ran 30km across frozen Lake Winnipeg and raised almost $20,000 for melanoma patients.

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Move for Melanoma Event Raises $60,000 for Canadian Melanoma Patients

VANCOUVER – Sept 30, 2020 

Save Your Skin Foundation has just wrapped up 2nd annual MOVE FOR MELANOMA event with Alberta Society of Melanoma to benefit melanoma and skin cancer patients across Canada

MOVE FOR MELANOMA, which ran over the weekend of September 26 – 27, 2020, raised over $60,000, far beyond its original goal of $25,000. After meeting their initial goal early, the Foundation raised their goal to $50,000 with less than two weeks to go, and still exceeded it. The weekend saw over 100 participants, including 24 teams from 4 provinces take part.

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Move for Melanoma to Raise $25,000 for Canadian Melanoma Patients

 VANCOUVER – Sept 1, 2020 

Save Your Skin Foundation is hosting the 2nd annual MOVE FOR MELANOMA event with Alberta Society of Melanoma to benefit melanoma and skin cancer patients across Canada

Save Your Skin Foundation is the only Canadian charity that helps skin cancer patients financially when they need it most. This year, MOVE FOR MELANOMA aims to raise $25,000 by Monday, September 28.  Survivors, patients, family members, friends and supporters from across Canada are helping the Foundation to reach that goal. 100% of funds raised from MOVE FOR MELANOMA will go directly to supporting melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer patients in the form of treatment costs, flights, accommodation, cab fare and other necessary but costly expenses incurred while receiving treatment.

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Results Published of Longest and Largest Study of Stage III Melanoma Patients Receiving Targeted Therapy for Post-Surgery Treatment

 TORONTO, ONTARIO, June 19, 2020 

Study shows five-year outcome of patients who received Canada’s only approved adjuvant treatment for stage III melanoma patients to prevent relapse after surgery.

Save Your Skin Foundation is pleased to share the conclusions of a five-year study that followed 870 patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma who were treated with a combination therapy of Tafinlar (dabrafenib) plus Mekinist (trametinib) following the surgical removal of their cancer. The findings show that more than half of the patients in the study were alive and free of a relapse after five years.

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New Survey Shows 1 in 4 Canadians Don’t Understand Dangers of Sun Exposure

 TORONTO – May 27, 2020 

Save Your Skin Foundation urges Canadians to get informed about melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer

A recent survey shows there are serious knowledge and information gaps among Canadians about this cancer.  Hayley Wickenheiser, six time Olympian and Hockey Hall of Famer, is supporting an educational campaign to bridge these gaps so that Canadians will better understand this potentially devastating skin cancer and those diagnosed will be adequately armed to make informed decisions.

Melanoma should be taken very seriously, and the risks associated with melanoma should be understood by all Canadians, especially those who spend long hours outdoors, such as athletes and outdoor workers. According to results from a new survey2 more than half of Canadians (55%) do not realize a small amount of sun exposure without protection can lead to melanoma.

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All Hands On Deck Needed to Stop Dangerous Disease

TORONTO, ONTARIO, April 30, 2020 

Save Your Skin Foundation is Creating a Healthier and More Sun Safe Canada During Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month

As May marks both Melanoma Awareness Month and the beginning of summer, it is imperative that communities across Canada be reminded of the importance of sun safety at this time of year. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many Canadians to stay home, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t spending time outside. In fact, many have more time than usual to enjoy the outdoors, making sun safety education as relevant as ever.

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Miss Lower Mainland To Raise Awareness Of Skin Disorders And Skin Cancer At Miss Canada Pageant

ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, February 13, 2020  

Abbotsford’s Miss Lower Mainland Aman Merdha to compete in Miss Canada 2020 pageant on March 7, 2020 while raising awareness of skin cancer and sun safety

Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) is pleased to announce that SYSF ambassador Aman Merdha will represent people touched by skin disorders and raise awareness of skin cancer and sun safety among youth at the Miss Canada 2020 pageant on March 7, 2020 in Laval, Quebec.  After approaching SYSF to create a partnership dedicated to raising awareness of skin disorders and skin cancer, Aman won the title of Miss Lower Mainland in the Miss BC pageant in July 2019.

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First Biologic Treatment for Deadly Type of Skin Cancer Gets Strong Positive Recommendation to be Covered by Provincial Health Care

TORONTO, ONTARIO, January 15, 2020

Save Your Skin Foundation Applauds the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review recommendation for Provincial Reimbursement of LibtayoTM for the treatment of Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC)

When cSCC invades deeper layers of the skin or adjacent tissues, it is categorized as locally advanced. Once it spreads to other distant parts of the body, it is considered metastatic. The five-year survival rate for metastatic cSCC is just 34.4%.

“As skin cancer prevalence continues to grow in Canada, patients and their loved ones need options for treatment of this potentially deadly disease,” says Kathy Barnard, skin cancer survivor and founder of Save Your Skin Foundation. “Squamous cell carcinoma is not ‘JUST’ skin cancer – it is a wake-up call to all Canadians to be vigilant about the risks of skin cancer and the serious nature of its membership to the most common type of cancer.”

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255 Canadian Cancer Patients Share the Most Wasteful and Inefficient Parts of Their Cancer Care and Treatment

TORONTO, ONTARIO – September 20, 2019 

New Canadian report breaks down patient-reported waste and inefficiency by province

The Canadian All.Can cancer initiative has this month published a major report of cancer care recommendations based on patient insights following a Canada-wide patient survey conducted last year that gathered insights from cancer patient. Of the 314 responses received, 255 of these were selected for a provincial analysis comparing results from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

The report, Patient insights on Canadian Cancer care: opportunities for improving efficiency, highlights four major areas of cancer care inefficiency from the patient perspective. All.Can defines inefficiency in cancer care as anything that does not focus on what matters to patients.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Launches Inaugural “MOVE FOR MELANOMA” Challenge Benefiting Skin Cancer Patients Across Canada

VANCOUVER, BC – September 13, 2019 

The unique physical activity challenge takes place across Canada starting today until September 16

Save Your Skin Foundation officially launches the inaugural 2019 “Move for Melanoma” Challenge today, benefiting skin cancer patients across Canada.

Save Your Skin Foundation notes the unique accessibility of the Challenge as an important part of campaign. “Skin cancer can happen to anyone. It’s caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight or tanning beds. We therefore wanted a campaign that was accessible to anyone”, explains Kathleen Barnard, President and Founder, Save Your Skin Foundation and stage four melanoma survivor. “People have come up with very creative ideas that work within their Challenge comfort zones. One team is doing CrossFit, another is doing an axe-throwing contest and I’ll be cycling 55 kilometres in Montreal on Monday!

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Launch of Free, Public Sunscreen Dispensers in Kelowna by Morgan’s Mole Patrol and Save Your Skin Foundation

 KELOWNA, BC – August 6, 2019

Official Launch Event on Thurs, Aug 8th at 12pm at the Kelowna Visitor’s Centre 
 with Save Your Skin Foundation, Morgan’s Mole Patrol and Kelowna City Councillor


Thurs, Aug 8th will mark the official launch of two free, public sunscreen dispensers in key Kelowna hot spots. This project has been powered by Morgan’s Mole Patrol and Save Your Skin Foundation, with the support of the City of Kelowna and Tourism Kelowna, and Kelowna Golf & Country Club.

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also

August 13, 2019, New Westminster, BC

City of New Westminster partners with Save Your Skin Foundation and BC Cancer to launch free sunscreen dispenser pilot at Westminster Pier Park 

New Cancer Report Reveals Opportunities for Governments to ‘Do the Right Thing by Patients’

VANCOUVER – July 24, 2019 

Canada part of 10-country survey that reveals inefficiencies in cancer care from patient perspective

The international All.Can cancer initiative has today published a major report urging health officials, governments and decision-makers to ‘do the right thing by patients’ when developing cancer care plans and policies by taking patient insights into account in all aspects of treatment and care.

The report, Patient insights on cancer care: opportunities for improving efficiency, highlights four major areas of cancer care inefficiency from the patient perspective. All.Can defines inefficiency in cancer care as anything that does not focus on what matters to patients.

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Patient groups call on all federal Parties: State your health commitments for the 2019 federal election

OTTAWA – June 18, 2019

Patient groups are asking why Canada’s political Parties are not doing a better job at articulating a comprehensive approach to health care in the run up to the federal election. The federal Health Minister expressed support for the Hoskins Report on national pharmacare issued last week, however, while one piece of the puzzle, this report is not a comprehensive health care strategy.  “Canadians are generally proud of our universal health care system, but more needs to be done. Shockingly, Save Your Skin Foundation has seen people forced to sell everything to get proper cancer care in Canada. This is unacceptable and must be addressed by our federal government moving forward,” stated Louise Binder, Health Policy Consultant for Save Your Skin Foundation.

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May is Melanoma Awareness Month

TORONTO – April 30, 2019 

This year, for Melanoma Month, Save Your Skin Foundation will bring awareness to the following issues:
• Skin cancer rates in Canada continue to rise, including melanoma, ocular melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancers.
• Now is the time for increased preventative efforts and methods of early detection, particularly in the form of public education, public policy and built environments.
• Too many gaps still exist in patient care, particularly around lack of resources for psychological support, lack of treatment for pre-stage IV patients and unequal access to life-saving treatments.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Applauds Health Canada’s Notice of Compliance for Libtayo™ for the Treatment of Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC)

 VANCOUVER – April 11, 2019 

CSCC is the second most common form of skin cancer accounting for approximately one- fifth of all skin cancer cases in Canada. When CSCC invades deeper layers of the skin or adjacent tissues, it is categorized as locally advanced. Once it spreads to other distant parts of the body, it is considered metastatic. Prior to today’s announcement, in 2018 Libtayo™ received FDA approval under Priority Review and was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation status for advanced CSCC which was created to expedite the development and review of drugs that have the potential for substantial improvement in the treatment of serious or life-threatening conditions.

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Launch of OCUMEL CANADA Offers New Hope for Canadians Diagnosed with Rare Ocular Melanoma

 TORONTO – January 15, 2019

Save Your Skin Foundation, a Canadian, patient-led, notfor-profit organization, is launching Ocumel Canada to increase awareness, advance treatment options, and improve patient outcomes for Canadians touched by Ocular Melanoma, a rare but aggressive form of melanoma.  Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) has joined forces with ocular melanoma (OM) survivor and advocate Nigel Deacon, to create Ocumel Canada and improve OM patient care across Canada.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Applauds Health Canada Approval of First Adjuvant Treatment for Melanoma to Prevent Relapse Following Surgery

VANCOUVER – November 2, 2018 

Health Canada approves Tafinlar® (dabrafenib) plus Mekinist® (trametinib) for the Adjuvant Treatment of Melanoma Patients (with BRAF V600 mutation).

“Canadians with Stage III melanoma are in urgent need of access to new adjuvant therapeutic options to prevent recurrence – it’s unfair to expect them to just watch and wait for it to happen,” says Kathy Barnard, Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation. “We applaud Health Canada’s approval of this combination treatment for patients in this situation.”

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May is Melanoma Awareness Month – As Skin Cancer Rates Continue to Rise Across Canada, Save Your Skin Foundation is Raising Awareness on the Need for Prevention, Early Detection and Patient Support.

TORONTO – April 30, 2018

This year, for Melanoma Month, Save Your Skin Foundation, a Canadian, patient-led, not-for-profit organization operating across Canada and internationally, is dedicating this month to the following initiatives:  Raising public awareness of skin cancer, the need for preventative measures, and the importance of early detection. Supporting patients by offering assistance, providing helpful resources, and fighting for equal, timely access to treatment. Helping the emerging population of melanoma survivors to transition to life after cancer.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Applauds Health Canada’s Approval of BAVENCIO™ (avelumab for injection) for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)

VANCOUVER – February 23, 2018 

“Canadians living with metastatic MCC are in urgent need of access to new therapeutic options to treat their aggressive disease – they simply don’t have the luxury of time,” says Kathy Barnard, Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation. “We applaud Health Canada’s approval of BAVENCIO, which provides new hope for patients and their loved ones.”

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Canadian Patient Groups Call on Federal Health Minister to Halt the Process Examining Proposed Amendments to the Patented Medicine Regulations Pending Constructive Consultations

TORONTO – February 15, 2018 

“Access, appropriate use and affordability are the pillars of our healthcare goals in Canada and we encourage comprehensive dialogue with patient organizations, industry and government to identify strategies and methods to maintain this balance,” said Louise Binder of Save Your Skin Foundation.  “We can’t jeopardize our current standard of care, especially in this era of unprecedented medical innovation and breakthrough therapies.”

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CONECTed Welcomes the Ontario PC Party’s Commitment to Improving Healthcare for Cancer Patients and Calls on Other Parties to Match These Platform Statements

 TORONTO – November 30, 2017 

“We recognize the importance of a sustainable, affordable health care system and also the importance of access to badly needed cancer treatments for people who would otherwise have terrible quality of life and a much shorter lifespan,” says Kathy Barnard, cancer survivor, Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation, and CONECTed steering committee member. “While innovative drugs are high priced, the provinces can negotiate risk sharing arrangements with the manufacturers that will save money in the drug budget…”

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Drug Pricing Policy Summit 2017: Measuring Progress and Making our Mark

TORONTO – November 2017 

Health System Transformation ~ Patients Share Vision and Engage Decision-Makers

November 15 – 16, 2017 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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CONECTed Shining a Spotlight on the Lack of Transparency When it Comes to Access to Cancer Treatments

EDMONTON – October 18, 2017

With federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers meeting in Edmonton later this week, a Canadian cancer patient network is expressing its concern about the lack of transparency in the pan-Canadian review process that formalizes recommendations on the funding of cancer therapies on public drug plans.

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Global Melanoma Research Network, Save Your Skin Foundation and Pulse Infoframe Collaborate to Augment Collection of Patient Relevant Melanoma Data

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND LONDON, ONTARIO – July 12, 2017

Partnership to Result in Real Time Data to Inform Policy Makers, Advance Research and Benefit Those Living with Melanoma

“The ability to tap into existing innovative and broadly deployed melanoma registries is another example of how Save Your Skin Foundation is advocating for patients,” said Kathy Barnard, Save Your Skin Foundation Founder and President. “As a melanoma survivor, I know first-hand the challenges that all involved face. The Save Your Skin Foundation is committed to serving this field, in all facets, and ultimately to eliminating melanoma. Our relationship with the Global Melanoma Research Network and Pulse Infoframe supports and advances these commitments.”

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#CancerChanged Campaign Launched to Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 4th 2017

VANCOUVER – June 1, 2017

#CancerChanged is a series of documentary-style photo essays that bring to life the stories of Canadian men and women living with advanced cancers. The series aims to highlight hope and survivorship through the lens of award-winning Canadian photojournalists. The #CancerChanged campaign gives an authentic glimpse into the lives of people living longer with advanced cancers to foster hope, understanding and peer-to-peer support. It aims to drive awareness that cancer survival is changing from the time of diagnosis to the outcome of a person’s life.

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Federal Health Minister Dr. Jane Philpott’s announcement today at the Economic Club of Canada on “improving affordability, accessibility and appropriate use of drugs in Canada,” may well have a profound impact on drug prices in the country.

OTTAWA – May 16, 2017 

The many patient organizations participating in the Drug Pricing Policy Working Groups encourage relevant stakeholders to reconsider the way we measure the value of potential lifesaving drugs, enhance drug access in Canada and address high priced pharmaceuticals.

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Save Your Skin Foundation Leads Patient Advocacy Initiative To Push For Equal, Timely Access To Innovative New Cancer Treatments

VANCOUVER April 26, 2017

Thanks to the emergence of innovative new treatments, the last two years have marked a dramatic shift in how we look at cancer. These new treatments mean that cancer patients are not only seeing increased survival rates, but also experiencing a better quality of life while in treatment than was ever possible with standard therapies. The challenge with new treatments is ensuring that they are made accessible to patients who need them. The Save Your Skin Foundation’s advocacy initiatives are pushing for a more transparent, efficient, and agile approach to drug approval and provincial funding decisions.

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Patient advocacy experts gather to start a conversation on cancer immunotherapy in Canada

TORONTO – March 27, 2017

Inaugural patient summit brings together experts across oncology to collaborate on patient access to innovative cancer treatments and foster collaboration among patient groups and the medical community to improve patient outcomes

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JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT Major Step Forward in Accessing New Life-Extending Medication for Advanced Metastatic Lung, Melanoma and Kidney Cancer Patients

TORONTO – February 13, 2017

pCPA negotiations concluded. Provinces and Territories encouraged to quickly list.

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Important New Cancer Treatments Approved By Health Canada Marred By Major Provincial Reality Disconnect For Patients

TORONTO – November 22, 2016

Patient access to innovative new cancer treatments seriously limited by provincial funding recommendations across Canada

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Health Canada Approves First-ever Combination of Two Immuno-Oncology Agents for Metastatic Melanoma

VANCOUVER – October 31, 2016

Health Canada approves the OPDIVO® + YERVOY® regimen for previously untreated patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma

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ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) Breaks Records for Attendance and the Quality of Science Presented 

VANCOUVER – October 12, 2016

Save Your Skin Foundation attends ESMO 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark,  taking part in the annual congress impacting the practice of oncology across the globe

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Canadians with advanced skin cancer share their disease journey in empowering photo series: Melanoma Through My Lens

TORONTO – August 17, 2016

Campaign aims to raise awareness about different forms of the life-threatening skin cancer and its impact on patients and their families

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Save Your Skin Foundation Recognizes National Cancer Survivors Day (Sunday, June 5th) with Greater Hope for Advanced Melanoma Survival 

VANCOUVER – June 2, 2016

On the tenth anniversary of the Foundation, Cancer Survivors Day also marks a survivorship milestone for Save Your Skin Founder, Kathleen Barnard 

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Save Your Skin Foundation is Creating a Healthier and More Sun Safe Canada

VANCOUVER – April 28, 2016

May is Melanoma Awareness Month and the Canadian Foundation will roll out initiatives across the country to build greater awareness of skin cancer

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Save Your Skin Foundation Wants You To Know It’s #NotJustSkinCancer

VANCOUVER – March 30, 2016

Tweets Inspired by Real Online Conversations Shed Light on Need for Greater  Skin Cancer Awareness and Education

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Together, #WeCanICan create awareness of #WorldCancerDay on February 4th!

VANCOUVER – February 4, 2016

Save Your Skin Foundation Participates in World Cancer Day #WeCanICan campaign, an Initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

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FOR MORE PRESS RELEASES PRIOR TO 2016, CLICK HERE

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.