volunteer

Why I volunteer

Mathushan Subasri, Strides Walk Coordinator, London

How I started with MNC:

After finishing my first year of undergraduate studies at Western University in 2015, I started working on a research project at Lakeridge Health Oshawa with Dr. Rama Koneru, Dr. Manon Lemonde, and Jahnavi Mundluru. The project focused on the supportive care needs of metastatic melanoma patients in the Durham Region. After doing some thorough research, we found that there was a lack of physical resources, and so we turned our search online. This lead us to the Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC), with its comprehensive disease information, patient resources, and annual fundraising events: this was the primary source we recommended to patients seeking additional support. With MNC support groups established in four other cities, we continued to work with MNC to establish a melanoma specific support group in Oshawa. Alongside help from volunteer healthcare professionals we successfully started, which is held on the first Wednesday of every month.

 

Staring this research project, I had a surface level understanding of melanoma. Then as my research progressed, I “believed” my grasp on melanoma had solidified. I was wrong. It wasn’t until I sat in those support group meetings and listened to patients and survivors speak that I realized I had barely scratched the surface in understanding what a melanoma or cancer diagnosis truly meant. Cancer unquestionably affects quality of life, but the scope at which this disease impacts daily life is surprising to those fortunate enough to never have been affected.

 

Why I volunteer with MNC:

For this reason, I wanted to continue volunteering with MNC in efforts to improve melanoma patient quality of life. Since then I have volunteered at the annual Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness, specifically in London, and look forward to helping again this year on September 24th. As well as, recently aiding in their London and Toronto Patient Information Sessions. From my experience so far I understand the importance of patient support and resources, especially psychological support, something that is often overlooked for cancer types such as melanoma. Through the remarkable groundwork the Melanoma of Network of Canada has set forth and the continuous support from volunteers such as myself, I hope that melanoma patients and cancer patients as a whole can receive the proper support services they deserve.

 

Become a Volunteer at Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness 2017
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