ocular melanoma

Coping with the Emotional Impact of Cancer – Mental Health Week

Empowerment Through Connection: Join us during Mental Health Week for a special webinar tailored to individuals actively managing their cancer diagnosis, caregivers providing unwavering support, survivors navigating the aftermath, and anyone touched by cancer.

We’ll delve into the unique emotional and psychological dimensions of the cancer journey, fostering resilience and building connections within this community.

Our featured speakers include

Dr. Sue Johnson, Founding Director of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute and the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy;
Lyanne Westie, SYSF Wellness Support Consultant;
Guest speaker

Join us for an enriching and supportive discussion that aims to empower you on your cancer journey. Together, we can foster resilience and build lasting connections.

REGISTER TODAY!

Only 23 days left! Move for Melanoma 2023

As we eagerly approach the month of September, our excitement grows as we prepare to shine a spotlight on the amazing accomplishments of our community.

The momentum leading up to our highly anticipated 5th annual Move for Melanoma fundraiser has been nothing short of inspiring. This event is not only a testament to our collective dedication to those touched by melanoma, non-melanoma, skin cancers & ocular/uveal melanoma but also a powerful reminder of the impact we can achieve together. Mark your calendars for the dates of September 22-24, 2023, as we unite once again for this remarkable cause.

Fundraising Tips

The team at Save Your Skin Foundation would like to thank the 21 participants who have registered, as well as the 11 teams that have already joined the Move for Melanoma. Your involvement has catapulted us beyond expectations, propelling us to reach 25% of our fundraising goal.

Our journey is far from over! With each step we take and each contribution made, we inch closer to our ultimate objective. The funds raised through Move for Melanoma have consistently offered invaluable support to those affected by melanoma, non-melanoma, skin cancers & ocular/uveal melanoma.

Fundraiser tips

With only 23 days to go before Move for Melanoma, it’s the perfect time to do another round of requests for donations. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you:

Post on social media frequently. People rarely donate the first time they are asked. By posting frequently, you’ll remind people who might have forgotten, and get better results.
Send personal emails. Most people, when asked directly, will be happy to make a donation to a cause important to a friend or family member.
Tell your story. This cause is important to you for a reason. People who are touched by your story will be more likely to give.
Use an image. We all know the power images have. Consider including a photo of yourself or your family in your posts or emails.

And don’t forget to always include the URL to your fundraising page so that donations made as a result of your posts will be correctly assigned to your team.

For more on how to fundraise, including sample posts you can use, click here.

Participant Resources

We’ve created some resources to help you get ready for Move for Melanoma. The resources include:

A Participant Timeline – that offers tips and tricks for getting ready for the event
A Donation Form – which you can print out and use to keep track of donations made to you with cash, cheque or credit card
A Scavenger Hunt Printout – Print this out to lead your kids through a fun scavenger hunt.
A Scavenger Hunt Instructions document – To help you prepare for the hunt.
Three Posters – Which you can print and post around town to help promote the event and get people to join your team

Social Media Posts & Copy

Save and share these posts on your social media accounts to encourage your network to donate to your team! Click on the images to download.

“On September 23-24th, I’ll be challenging myself to (insert activity) to raise funds for melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer and ocular melanoma patients during #Move4Melanoma. As you may know, I was (or my mother/husband/sister/father/brother etc.) diagnosed with (insert type of cancer) in (insert year). What you may not know is that melanoma and other types of skin cancer are being diagnosed at an alarming rate, and that cancer patients need our help.

I ask that you please consider supporting me in fundraising for patients in need, so that everyone diagnosed with (insert disease) may have the same chances of survival. Every dollar donated will go directly to a patient in need in the form of treatment costs, flights, accommodation and other necessary but costly expenses incurred while receiving treatment. Thanks in advance for your generosity. Donate here.”

ASCO 2023 Data Report

Earlier this summer, Save Your Skin was fortunate enough to attend the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, in order to hear the latest data from melanoma clinical trials. We are pleased to present the highlights from these exciting studies in our annual ASCO report, which this year includes data from trials relating to melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), and uveal (ocular) melanoma. Please keep in mind that ASCO is an international association, and therefore studies outlined in this report are not exclusive to Canada.

This report includes:

Trial updates related to melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), and uveal (ocular) melanoma
A glossary of abbreviations used in the report
A selection of melanoma-related news articles from the summer for supplemental reading

You can read the report here or by clicking on the cover image below. Thank you for reading!

A new framework for co-creating telehealth for cancer care with the patient community

Louise Binder from SYSF co-authored an excellent and insightful publication titled “A New Framework for Co-Creating Telehealth for Cancer Care with the Patient Community” published in The Patient – Patient-Centered Outcomes Research. Check it out here.

Patient Fireside Sunshine Chit-Chat: A Virtual Summer Catch-Up

5-6 PM PT | 8-9 PM ET

AUGUST TOPIC

Fireside Sunshine Chit-Chat: A Virtual Summer Catch-Up

This call will last 1 hour!

Fireside Sunshine Chit-Chat: A Virtual Summer Catch-Up

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming Fireside Chat, where we will embrace the carefree spirit of summer and bask in the sunny side of support! 🌞

This month’s chat will be a summer-themed get-together filled with meaningful conversations and connections. Instead of adhering to a specific agenda, we have designed a relaxed environment for engaging discussions and positive interactions. 🏖️

Whether you have experienced cancer firsthand, are a survivor, a dedicated caregiver, or simply seek understanding companionship, this gathering is tailored to suit your needs. Join us as we share personal journeys, catch up, lend empathetic ears, and forge lasting bonds that will illuminate this summer season. 🌈

Our aim is to cultivate a support community that radiates warmth and comfort. So mark your calendars, share the news, and let’s create unforgettable memories this summer! We look forward to seeing you there!

REGISTER TODAY!

Embracing Connections: A Virtual Gathering for Ocumel Canada

Join us on July 12, 2023, at 5pm PST/8pm EST for a special virtual get-together hosted by Ocumel Canada. This unique event aims to create a safe and supportive space that fosters kindness and understanding.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or anyone affected by Ocular/Uveal Melanoma, we invite you to come together for an hour-long call filled with inspiration and connection. Share your experiences, find solace in the company of others who understand, and discover the power of a compassionate community.

During this virtual gathering, we’ll provide a platform for open dialogue, encouraging participants to discuss whatever is on their minds. Together, we can uplift and empower one another as we navigate the complexities of living with Ocular/Uveal Melanoma.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange stories, and find strength in shared experiences. Register now and mark your calendar for an evening of support, resilience, and hope. Let us stand united in the face of Ocular/Uveal Melanoma.

Please let me know your thoughts! Once you do, our team can begin promoting this on our website & social pages. On Monday we will brainstorm how this call should be ran but if you have any ideas please feel free to let me know.

REGISTER HERE!

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.

This year, the event will take place on September 22-24, 2023. As always, participants will be 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.

We’ve made it super easy for you to participate! To get started, sign up here. You can register as a Team Captain, as an individual or join an existing team. Once you’ve registered, we’ll email you some resources to help you recruit team members and encourage people to start donating to your team.

Then, on the weekend of Sept. 22-24, we’ll invite you to complete your chosen activity and take lots of pictures to capture the fun.

Learn More & Register

Move for Melanoma 2023

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.

This year, the event will take place on September 22-24th, 2023. As always, participants will be 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.

To facilitate the whole thing, again this year, we will be using a custom website that allows people to register, donate, solicit donations, track progress and promote the event all in one place. The website also includes many resources for participants to help them get ready, and a Q&A page for more information.

If you’re interested in joining us, please visit Move for Melanoma 2023 and register now.

Save Your Skin Foundation is the only organization in Canada that supports skin cancer patients financially when they need it most. All the money raised through your donations goes directly to patients in the form of cab fares, treatment costs, flights, accommodation and other necessary but costly expenses incurred while receiving treatment.

Whether you’re a survivor who wants to bring hope to newly diagnosed patients, the family member or friend of a patient who wants to send a powerful message of solidarity, or a patient who wants to help change the face of cancer for ever, we invite you to take a stand against melanoma and to move with us this September!

Hand in hand, we fight melanoma together!

Monthly Patient Fireside Chat – Nurturing Wellness and Self-Care in Cancer Patients, Caregivers & Survivors

JULY TOPIC

Nurturing Wellness and Self-Care in Cancer Patients, Caregivers & Survivors

Join us for our upcoming July Fireside Chat, where we will be focusing on an important topic that often goes unnoticed – the wellness and self-care of patients, caregivers, and survivors who have faced melanoma, non-melanoma, skin cancers, and Ocular/uveal melanoma in the past.

Amidst the recent discussions in oncology and Survivor Day, we believe it’s essential to take a moment to pause, breathe, and check in on everyone’s overall well-being. Our Fireside Chat will provide a safe and supportive environment for open conversations about wellness, self-care, sharing experiences, and exploring strategies for support.

Whether you have personally battled cancer or have been a caregiver or survivor, we invite you to join us for this meaningful discussion. It’s crucial to acknowledge the emotional impact that cancer can have and provide resources and support for maintaining overall well-being throughout the journey.

Together, let’s create a space where we can listen, empathize, and learn from one another. Mark your calendars and join us for this July Fireside Chat dedicated to nurturing wellness and self-care in those affected by various forms of cancer.

REGISTER TODAY!

Monthly Patient Fireside Chats – Survivorship

5pm – 6:30pm PT | 8pm – 9:30pm ET

This year, we’re taking our monthly patient support chats in a new direction!

What’s new?

Our monthly chats are attended by a small standing group of core hosts, including SYSF Founder Kathy Barnard and fellow survivors, who take turns leading the group in a themed topic each month, allowing plenty of time for questions and discussion.

This month’s theme:

This month we’ll be celebrating survivorship and sharing stories of triumph. During this Fireside Chat we’re talking about celebrating cancer survivorship in honour of National Cancer Survivors Day in June with host Rob Stauffer who’s a melanoma survivor from Alberta, Canada.

Coping with the Emotional Impact of Cancer – Mental Health Week

Empowerment Through Connection: Join us during Mental Health Week for a special webinar tailored to individuals actively managing their cancer diagnosis, caregivers providing unwavering support, survivors navigating the aftermath, and anyone touched by cancer.