The sun shines when the temperature rises, a reminder to protect your skin

As a sunny summer day approaches, BC-based nonprofits are calling on Canadians to protect themselves and each other from skin cancer.

The Save Your Skin Foundation, a patient-led organization that connects skin cancer patients and medical resources across the country, has recently represented the city council to recognize the different types of skin cancer and preventative measures that Canadians should consider. rice field.

The non-profit organization was founded in 2006 by Kathy Bernard, who survived stage 4 malignant melanoma.

“When I was a kid in a local lake or sea, I never thought that my days with softball diamonds would be very deadly to me,” Bernard said. “I was very fortunate to have the only treatment available in Canada.”

Bernard said his son had been in contact with a US doctor who was trying to bring a clinical trial to Canada for her, but Bernard had to find a facility that would be willing to carry out treatment.

“I was fortunate to find Alberta next door welcoming me with my arms outstretched,” she said. “I took two clinical trials there for compassionate access, and I’ve been clear since 2007.”

Nonprofits are currently working to defend and prevent skin cancer while helping patients find the resources they need to treat.

“What makes us so unique is our ability to help navigate patients across the country,” she said. “Currently, melanoma of the eye is on the rise. There are only two states in Canada that are being treated with compassionate uses. One is Ontario and the other is Alberta.”

“Once a patient with ocular melanoma is diagnosed, the treating physician sends the patient to our tissue and literally, financially and emotionally, takes them to the center of care. Therefore, we Will pay for their flights, accommodation, … whatever they need, to get the patient to take the drug in a timely manner. “

Bernard, on behalf of Canadians, wears at least 30 SPF sunscreen, UV protection clothing, limits exposure to sunlight from 10 am to 4 pm, and treats skin abnormalities. I asked for preventive measures such as asking for.

“Melanoma is currently the seventh most common cancer in Canada and the fourth most common cancer among people between the ages of 18 and 29,” she said. “This is one of the few cancers with an increasing incidence among Canadians.”

“Early detection and prevention is key to this type of cancer. Cancers, including melanoma, are not 100 percent sure to be prevented,” she said. “The good news about melanoma is that the risk factors are well known, so we can take steps to dramatically reduce the risk of developing the disease.”

Bernard said he plans to follow in Australia’s footsteps and begin advocating infrastructure to help protect Canadians from the sun.

“I know that the incidence of skin cancer in Australia is very high, so I follow a lot of the work they do in Australia,” she said. “They started changing lunch times. They make sure their playground is protected.”

“I’m thrilled if I have the opportunity to work on such a project with me. This year, I’ll be doing some pilot projects with awnings and awning two or three facilities. I would like to see if, and then I can instruct people to shade. “

Coun. Mason Ainsworth said he was interested in working with Bernard to install a sunshade structure in Orillia’s outdoor recreation area.

“I’m definitely going to take you to your offer regarding support for the awning structure,” he said. “We had a lot of discussion in the city of Orillia. It’s a hard infrastructure for artificial shade structures in our parks, or to people … bring their own smaller shade structures. Whether to do it.

“In the long run, investing in that infrastructure is much cheaper than letting them experience the healthcare system for themselves,” he said.

Learn more about the Save Your Skin Foundation. Here.