Patient Stories

Brian "Red" Hamilton

A Full Circle Moment

During a Seattle Kraken game in 2021, fan Nadia Popovici spotted a mole on assistant equipment manager Brian “Red” Hamilton’s neck and urged him to get it checked. Her quick action led to an early melanoma diagnosis and saved his life. 

That life-changing moment inspired Red and his wife Jess to dedicate themselves to raising awareness about early detection and prevention. Through the Jess & Red Hamilton Fund, they helped bring Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile, presented by Neutrogena®, to British Columbia—so that others could have the same opportunity for early detection. 

On August 30, 2025, that mission came full circle. Red visited the Mole Mobile at Save-On-Foods in Burnaby, initially to have one of his children examined—because melanoma can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. Thankfully, no potential skin cancers were found on his child. 

Before leaving, and out of an abundance of caution, Red decided to have the dermatologist on board, Dr. Touraj Khosravi-Hafshejan, take a look at a lesion on his back as well. Using a dermatoscope, Dr. Khosravi-Hafshejan quickly identified it as a likely melanoma that required a biopsy. 

Two days later, Melanoma Canada’s support team followed up to ensure Red had scheduled an appointment with his doctor. He had the lesion biopsied about a week and a half later, and as it turned out, this was another melanoma, caught early once again thanks to timely action and access to screening.  Five weeks later, the lesion was surgically removed.  Red and Jess waited anxiously for a few weeks for the results and were grateful to hear the margins were clear, meaning the melanoma had not spread.  

For Red and Jess, this was more than a coincidence. It was proof that their commitment to prevention and early detection saves lives. The very program they helped fund may have saved Red’s life! 

“Without the Mole Mobile, this melanoma could have been left undetected,” said Red. “This is exactly why Jess and I believe so strongly in bringing these services to communities across Canada.” 

Now, the Jess & Red Hamilton Fund is on a new mission to raise $200,000 to expand Melanoma Canada’s Sun Guardians Grant Program. This program provides daycares, camps, and youth programs with sunscreen, shade, and sun safety education, helping kids enjoy the outdoors safely and reducing their lifetime risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. 

Red’s story is a powerful reminder that melanoma doesn’t just happen once, and that early detection saves lives. 

Knowing the signs to look for can make all the difference. Education matters—in fact, more than 70% of melanomas and skin cancers are found by people themselves or by a loved one. Regular self-checks are key to catching melanoma and skin cancer early, when they are most treatable. 

Stay proactive by signing up for monthly skin check reminders to receive helpful tips and protect your skin health year-round. 

Want to be the first to know when free skin cancer screenings and sun safety education are available in your area? Sign up for 2026 Mole Mobile Tour Updates