The CDA will be holding free, public skin cancer screenings and other events throughout Sun Awareness Week.
The screenings will take place in cities and towns across the country. To find the screening clinic nearest you, check the list of confirmed dates and locations on our events page.
To hear about new dates and locations as they’re announced, follow us on Twitter or join us on Facebook.
Sun Awareness Week Video Competition for Teens
If you know any teens — either individuals or, even better, a group — who are interested in video, let them know about the CDA’s Sun Awareness Week Video Competition.
The CDA will announce the winners at the end June. The submitter of the best video will win an iPad. Runners-up will receive Apple gift cards.
Together, we can help teens get involved — and protect their skin this summer!
For complete rules and guidelines, as well as facts about the dangers of sun exposure, visit the CDA’s Facebookpage.
Complimentary copies of Best of JCO (Journal of Clinical Oncology) have been made available at the ASCOAnnual Meeting.
More specifically, we’d like to share a JCO article on melanoma and the survival, durable tumor Remission, and long-term safety in patients with advanced melanoma receiving Nivolumab.
ABSTRACT
Purpose
Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is an inhibitory receptor expressed by activated T cells that downmodulates effector functions and limits the generation of immune memory. PD-1 blockade can mediate tumor regression in a substantial proportion of patients with melanoma, but it is not known whether this is associated with extended survival or maintenance of response after treatment is discontinued.
Patients and Methods
Patients with advanced melanoma (N = 107) enrolled between 2008 and 2012 received intravenous nivolumab in an outpatient setting every 2 weeks for up to 96 weeks and were observed for overall survival, long-term safety, and response duration after treatment discontinuation.
Results
Median overall survival in nivolumab-treated patients (62% with two to five prior systemic therapies) was 16.8 months, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 62% and 43%, respectively. Among 33 patients with objective tumor regressions (31%), the Kaplan-Meier estimated median response duration was 2 years.
Seventeen patients discontinued therapy for reasons other than disease progression, and 12 (71%) of 17 maintained responses off-therapy for at least 16 weeks (range, 16 to 56+ weeks). Objective response and toxicity rates were similar to those reported previously; in an extended analysis of all 306 patients treated on this trial (including those with other cancer types), exposure-adjusted toxicity rates were not cumulative.
Conclusion
Overall survival following nivolumab treatment in patients with advanced treatment–refractory melanoma compares favorably with that in literature studies of similar patient populations. Responses were durable and persisted after drug discontinuation. Long-term safety was acceptable. Ongoing randomized clinical trials will further assess the impact of nivolumab therapy on overall survival in patients with metastatic melanoma.
To link to abstract online and to download full article click here.
We’re so glad to be able to share this benefit plan with our network.
Save Your Skin members and their families can visit: innovicares.ca/sys to view a list of participating products and to register for your free drug reimbursement card.
If you have a prescription to fill immediately, you can download and print off a temporary card that you can use at your pharmacy right away. Your welcome kit, including a personalized plastic innoviCares card, will follow in the mail within 2-3 weeks. More on this program can be found here: Save Your Skin and innoviCares
Yesterday, innoviCares issued a press release marking their 600,000 member on April 28, 2014, and their participation rates show signs of acceleration through increasing partnerships and widespread patient satisfaction.
Employers, associations, physicians, and pharmacists have widely embraced the program, and for countless patients innoviCares offers significant financial savings and stability in their healthcare.
You can find out more here: Free Drug Benefit Plan Supports Over Half a Million Canadians
The Save Your Skin Foundation is hosting a Melanoma Patient Information Session on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 7:30pm – 8:30pm in Abbotsford, B.C.
The session will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak to and hear from leading experts in oncology and dermatology.
To reserve a seat at any of the free patient sessions, please email kfm@saveyourskin.ca or call 1-800-460-5832.
SAVE YOUR SKIN™ PATIENT INFORMATION SESSION ABBOTSFORD, B.C.
Date:
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Time:
7:30pm – 8:30pm
Place:
Valley Room – Ramada Hotel, Abbotsford
Speakers:
Dr. Winson Cheung
Tickets (free):
eventbrite/melanoma
To read the related press release visit: press/saveyourskin/melanoma
You can also visit the Save Your Skin website for a list of FAQ’s.
Celebrated Vancouver Blues Rock Band, Hot Lucy, to Perform at Annual Fundraiser for Skin Cancer
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – May 1, 2014) – The Save Your Skin Foundation is thrilled to announce its annual fundraising event for melanoma, Hot Lucy – Stage 4 – Blues Night. The event will help to raise critical funds and awareness needed to help fight one of the most common, deadly, and preventable forms of cancer – melanoma.
As the Save Your Skin Foundation’s largest fundraising initiative, Hot Lucy – Stage 4 – Blues Night, is a key event in securing the essential resources needed to support ongoing awareness, education and research initiatives. Occurring on Saturday, May 10th, 2014 at the Lynn Valley Legion, the event will feature local Vancouver blues rock band, Hot Lucy, as well as a silent auction, 50/50 draw and a toonie toss. Tickets cost $25.00 (ages +19), with all proceeds going towards the Save Your Skin Foundation. The month of May serves as the perfect time to host the annual event as it’s Melanoma Awareness Month – a month dedicated to the awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
“Last year’s fundraiser was a resounding success and this year’s is expected to exceed fundraising goals,” says Kathleen Barnard, President and Founder of the Save Your Skin Foundation. “As one of our biggest events, it’s great to see everyone coming together for a night of dancing, fun, and music, all while supporting a great cause”. With auction items from some big names that support skin safety, such as Earls Restaurants, Harbour Air, UV Couture, Organic Tan Vancouver (natural airbrush mobile spray tanning), Gillian Stevens Photography, and Zazou Salon & Spa, just to name a few – tickets are selling quickly! Get yours today!
About Melanoma in Canada
Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with melanoma, with the incidence of the disease increasing faster than that of any other cancer. Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) located in the skin. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime. Melanoma is clearly visible on the skin, and 90 per cent of melanomas are caused by exposure to UV light, including tanning beds.
About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation is a Canadian not-for-profit foundation. Through events and other initiatives, the Foundation focuses on: raising funds for education and awareness, providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer – especially melanoma.
Read official press release here.
Blooming daffodils and cherry blossoms ring in the month of May, and with that, we also welcome Melanoma Awareness Month – a month dedicated to the awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Unfortunately, the very thing that helps make summer so enjoyable can also cause deadly forms of skin cancer – the sun.
Did you know that thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with melanoma every year, with the disease increasing faster than any other cancer?
Those following key figures make us better understand the importance of raise awareness of this disease.
Primarily caused by overexposure to UV rays, it is also one of very few cancers that can be prevented. (Clickhere to read more).
To help spread the word about prevention and awareness, the Save Your Skin Foundation will be posting daily skin cancer awareness tips and more on our social media channels, so make sure to follow us on Facebook andTwitter!
We’ll also be holding some great events this month – check them out below, and make sure to get tickets while they last!
Melanoma Patient Information Symposium in Abbotsford
Date:
Thursday May 8th
Venue:
Valley Room, Abbotsford Ramada, 36035 N Parallel Rd
Time:
7:30 – 8:30pm
Details:
This free patient/caregiver melanoma information symposium offering critical information, plus the rare opportunity to speak with a leading specialist. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
Get your free tickets here!
Hot Lucy – Stage 4 Blues Night Concert
Date:
Saturday May 10, 2014
Venue:
Lynn Valley Legion
Time:
From 8pm to 12am
Details:
To generate more awareness and funds to combat one of the fastest growing cancers, Save Your Skin has teamed up with the band Hot Lucy to organize a Blues Rock Night Fundraiser.
Hot Lucy is a high energy rock band with heavy soul and blues influences. Ranked as one of the top Vancouver rock bands by Reverbnation, they have been building loyal fans with every performance and are strong advocates for fighting against melanoma.
Purchase your tickets: here
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813-800 Vista Park
Penticton BC V2A 0B2
Email: info@saveyourskin.ca
Phone: 1.800.460.5832
Charitable Reg. #857756589RR0001
