A New year brings fresh opportunities for Melanoma Canada to make a meaningful impact on the skin cancer community. Looking back on our achievements in 2023, we’re grateful for the support of our generous contributors. Thanks to you, our programs and services are driving us closer to our vision of zero melanoma and skin cancer related deaths. A special thank you to our dedicated staff, corporate and community partners, fundraisers, and volunteers – your commitment is truly appreciated.
I am proud and honoured to work with such a dedicated team. Together, we continue to push boundaries, innovate, and serve the melanoma and skin cancer community.
Exciting plans are in store for 2024! We are thrilled to be launching our second Mole Mobile – mobile skin cancer screening unit – hitting the road this spring. Presented by Neutrogena, this year’s tour will take the Mole Mobiles to British Columbia and Quebec from April to September. Our goal remains unchanged – to provide access to skin cancer screenings to remote, Indigenous, and underserved communities as well as areas with long wait times to visit a Dermatologist. We will continue to make our way across the country over the next few years (funding permitting) with the goal of visiting each province. To follow along and find out when we’ll be in a community near you, visit molemobile.ca
Continuing our expansion, we are updating our patient resource library with new content in print and digital formats. A digital guidebook on rare forms of melanoma and skin cancer is being developed, which will provide much-needed information to patients who are desperate for resources. Our video collection will continue to grow, and we’ll continue to promote our Continuing Medical Education (CME) accredited courses, educating primary healthcare providers on diagnosing melanoma in skin of colour.
With the support of the Douglas Wright Foundation and in collaboration with the Ontario Camp Association, the BC Camp Association, the Saskatchewan Sun Safety Council, and the Sun Safe BC, we’re expanding our Sun Aware Camp Program nationwide. Camp Directors and counsellors will be trained to keep campers sun-safe all summer long. Additionally, a new program in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society will focus on sun safety in daycares nationwide. Developing sun safety habits at a young age is crucial for lifelong protection.
We plan to offer sun safety training and skin cancer prevention tips to companies that have an outdoor workforce through workplace sun safety seminars. Melanoma Canada remains committed to providing support services to patients and caregivers, alongside public awareness and education campaigns promoting the importance of sun safety and early detection to help curb the rising incidence rates of melanoma and skin cancer.
Join us throughout the year at our fundraising events, patient support groups, webinars, or visit the Mole Mobile for a free skin check. We look forward to continuing to work with our community to deliver on our mission.
– Falyn Katz
