Paitent Stories

Kim Mangnall

Making a Difference in My Life!

Today, I realized just how much Melanoma and the Strides for Melanoma walk has changed my life.

Being diagnosed with melanoma made me stop and take a good look at my life. I was so immersed in my work that I wasn’t taking care of myself both mentally and physically. I definitely wasn’t spending enough time on the important things in life.

Hearing the “C” word was very scary. I lost my mother to colon cancer in 2006. And my sister is a brave 7 year survivor of breast cancer.

I didn’t ever think it could possibly happen to me. However, it was a reality. I did what I had to do to get through the surgery and recovery. After I was living each day fearful that it could return.

Two years after my surgery (to the exact day) I came across Melanoma Canada online and I signed up to walk Strides for Melanoma. I made a promise to myself that day that this was going to be the beginning of a new ME.

Ha! I wasn’t sure I could even walk 5k !!

My husband bought me a Fitbit and we started walking every night. We bought bicycles and started riding. We started making healthier foods choices and in August last year, I joined Weight Watchers. Last October we joined a gym.

Today, As I got ready to walk I reflected back on my accomplishments.

My work/life balance is right where it needs to be.
We have logged over 600k riding our bikes
I lost 40 pounds!!!!
I walked 5k 2 years in a row for Strides for Melanoma
Next week I will walk 5k for Breast Cancer for the second time.

My wonderful husband, and partner in crime, has been right there beside me the entire journey. He has had his own significant health issues. That is a whole other story! Together, we have overcome so many obstacles, and we have achieved so much together. He has been my Rock, my Hero, and my Inspiration.

I am so proud of ME. I am proud of HIM. And I am proud of US.

Thank you to the Melanoma Network of Canada for inspiring me to make a difference by not only in bringing awareness to Melanoma, but also in my own personal journey.

Other Patient Stories

Maureen Meehan

In early August of 2017 while attending a routine visit with my doctor, a General Practitioner (GP), I mentioned that the mole I’d had my right forearm for years was concerning me as it had changed.

Brandon Smith

No words could be more true! Cancer has been my invisible enemy for 11 years. My name is Brandon Smith and I have Stage 4 metastatic melanoma.

Ian Campbell

My name is Ian Campbell. I am 60 years young and have a beautiful wife, and two wonderful adult children. My cancer journey started when I moved to Alberta from Ontario.

Cindy Nightingale

Finally, it was May 18, 2004, the day of my ophthalmologist appointment. I was relieved someone with authority would be looking at my eye. I did a little research and it seemed like I might have cataracts, glaucoma, or an infection.

Vanessa Delle Monache

My name is Vanessa Delle Monache and I am a two-time cancer survivor. At the young age of 15, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I received chemotherapy as well as radiation.

Akeema Smith

My melanoma story begins when I was born with a congenital Nevus birthmark covering most of my left breast. Growing up I never thought much about it other than my appointments with plastic surgeons and dermatologists every 3 months.

Emma Newman

My name is Emma Newman and I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma when I was 23 years old. In June 2018, I graduated from Western University with a degree in Health Sciences and Psychology. During my time at Western I was very involved in extracurricular activities.

Bev Barbour

The Coronavirus brought many changes to our world; for me it has led me to The Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC) and for that, I am very grateful.

Heather Derbecker

In September 2011, I was 36 years old and 32 weeks pregnant with baby number three when I was diagnosed with melanoma. There is never a good time to be diagnosed with cancer, but facing my own mortality and getting ready to welcome a new life brought my world crashing down.

Ken Graham

COVID-19 … as if cancer patients don’t have enough to stress about. I am not sure if immunotherapy treatments put melanoma patients more at risk for COVID-19, but it worries me.

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