Save Your Skin Foundation

New Treatment is First and Only to Extend Survival for Canadians With Deadliest Form of Skin Cancer

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Feb. 7, 2012) – Health Canada has announced its approval of Yervoy™ (ipilimumab) to treat metastatic, or advanced, melanoma. It is the first new treatment for the disease in more than a decade, and is the only medicine proven to significantly extend the lives of patients living with the disease. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and one of the fastest growing cancers in Canada.

“Health Canada’s approval of Yervoy provides hope for Canadians fighting to live longer,” says Kathy Barnard, Founder of the Save Your Skin Foundation. “It’s heartbreaking to see so many Canadians losing their battle with melanoma and, given that most patients with advanced melanoma survive less than a year, time is critical. I hope all Canadians who need it, will have access to Yervoy as soon as possible, giving them a chance to survive this disease.”

This news hits a personal note for Barnard, who is fighting her own battle with melanoma. In 2003 Barnard was first diagnosed, and by 2005 stage IV malignant melanoma had spread. Tumors were found in her left lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland. In 2007 through a clinical study Barnard was treated with Yervoy and has been disease free since.

“I was extremely fortunate to have had access to this medication,” says Barnard. “Awareness and access to new treatments is critical. It’s the reason I’m alive today.” One of the key objectives of Save Your Skin is to create timely and national awareness of available treatment options.

In its late stages, the average life expectancy for melanoma is just six months, with a one-year survival rate of only 25 percent, making metastatic melanoma one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. An estimated 5,500 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year and 950 will die from it. Melanoma is responsible for 75 percent of the deaths associated with skin cancer.

The Kaplan-Meier survival rate with Yervoy at both one and two years was almost double when measured against patients treated with gp100 cancer vaccine. Survival was 46 per cent at one year and 24 percent at 2 years for Yervoy, versus 25 percent at one year and 14 percent at two years for gp100. Yervoy also showed long-term survival with some patients living three or four years beyond treatment.

Yervoy provides advanced melanoma suffers with an important new treatment option and a real hope for long-term survival.

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; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. Melanoma is clearly visible on the skin, and 90 per cent of melanomas are caused by exposure to UV light, including tanning beds.

About Yervoy™

Yervoy (3 mg/kg) is indicated for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in patients who have failed or do not tolerate other systemic therapy for advanced disease.

Yervoy is a recombinant; human monoclonal antibody, and the first approved cancer immunotherapy for melanoma to target the CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4), which plays a role in suppressing normal immune function.

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.

Donations go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

Save Your Skin Foundation steps up efforts to reach more melanoma patients across Canada.

MONTREAL, QC (January 24, 2012) – The Save Your Skin Foundation is stepping up its efforts to reach
more melanoma patients across Canada by launching its website in French. The new improvement to
the foundation’s website will help connect with patients who need support and resources to fight this
disease.

“We are extremely proud to have our website both in English and in French,” says David Barnard, the
Executive Director of the Save Your Skin Foundation. “It gives us the opportunity to connect with both
English and French speaking Canadians and hopefully reach more melanoma patients who need
support.” According to the Canadian Cancer Society, approximately 760 Canadians living in Quebec
were diagnosed with melanoma in 2011.

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. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to
develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most
dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75 percent of deaths associated with skin cancer.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation

The Save Your Skin Foundation is a Canadian based 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
supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer – especially melanoma.
For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Birgit Simon at 604‐734‐4223.

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Melanoma can be successfully treated if caught early but fewer than one in five Canadians

have moles checked regularly

VANCOUVER, BC (June 16, 2011) – Most Canadians (85 per cent) know that melanoma is a form of skin cancer and yet over one third (35 per cent) still never check for unusual moles/freckles or get them checked, according to a new survey conducted by the Save Your Skin Foundation.

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers worldwide, but because it is one of the only cancers that is clearly visible on the skin, early detection is not only possible, but important for successful treatment.

“It’s important to learn the basics of melanoma and regularly check your moles. The earlier anomalies can be brought to your doctor’s attention, the greater your chances for survival,” explains Kathy Barnard, founder of Save Your Skin Foundation and a melanoma patient herself.

Young people in particular are lax in checking for skin cancer, despite the fact that melanoma is the second most common cancer among those aged 15 to 34.[1]  According to the survey, almost half (46%) of Canadians in that age group never check for unusual moles or freckles. Even when told that the incidence of melanoma has more than tripled over the past 30 years, just over half (52%) are only a little more likely or no more likely to check moles or freckles.

“This trend is troubling,” says Dr. Michelle Withers a dermatologist in Vancouver. “Melanoma is a survivable cancer, but early detection is key. All Canadians, especially younger ones, should be aware of the necessity of doing a simple monthly mole check.”

Overall, Canadians are not taking enough action to detect this highly visible cancer early on.  Of those who do take steps to spot melanoma, by checking for unusual moles or freckles, almost half (49%) rely on their family doctor as their primary method of detection. And less than one in five (17%) get or do the monthly mole checks as recommended by the Canadian Dermatology Association.

With summer officially underway next week, the Save Your Skin Foundation wants to continue to emphasize the importance of noticing the early signs of melanoma and to encourage everyone to routinely check themselves and their loved ones.

“Make it a fun habit,” suggests Kathy Barnard. “If you are a parent, teach your kids young, take pictures, make a scrapbook, so they know what to look for and are aware of the disease. Between adults, the practice can become a welcome romantic fixture in everyday busy lives.”

For more information about melanoma and how to properly check your moles, please visit www.saveyourskin.ca

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. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women is expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation

The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends and colleagues of founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian-based 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 skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer. Donations go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives. For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604‐734‐4223.

About the Survey

From May 18^th to May 19^th 2011 Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey on behalf of the Save Your Skin Foundation. One thousand and nine randomly selected Canadian adults were polled.

 The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

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Another U.S. Approval of New Melanoma Treatment Offers More Hope for Canadians

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Aug. 18, 2011) – U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zelboraf (vemurafenib), a drug to treat patients with late-stage (metastatic) or unresectable (cannot be removed by surgery) melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Zelboraf is specifically indicated for the treatment of patients with melanoma whose tumors express a gene mutation called BRAF V600E. The drug has not been studied in patients whose melanoma tests negative for that mutation by an FDA approved diagnostic.

Zelboraf is being approved with a first-of-a-kind test called the cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test, a companion diagnostic that will help determine if a patient’s melanoma cells have the BRAF V600E mutation. The BRAF protein is normally involved in regulating cell growth, but is mutated in about half of the patients with late-stage melanomas. Zelboraf is a BRAF inhibitor that is able to block the function of the V600E-mutated BRAF protein. It is the first oral agent for metastatic melanoma.

“The discovery of Zelboraf represents another significant advance in the treatment of melanoma,” says Kathy Barnard, Founder of the Save Your Skin Foundation. “As there are few current patient options that extend life, we hope to soon celebrate its availability in Canada.”

This news hits a personal note for Barnard, who is currently fighting her own battle with melanoma. In 2003 Barnard was first diagnosed, and by 2005 stage IV malignant melanoma had spread. Tumors were found in her left lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland. Kathy is currently in remission but has recently been tested positive with the cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation test. “Zelboraf gives melanoma patients even more hope in their fight with melanoma,” says Barnard.

Zelboraf’s safety and effectiveness were established in a single international trial of 675 patients with late-stage melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation who had not received prior therapy. Patients were assigned to receive either Zelboraf or dacarbazine, another anti-cancer therapy. The trial was designed to measure overall survival (the length of time between start of treatment and death of a patient).

The median survival (the length of time a patient lives after treatment) of patients receiving Zelboraf has not been reached (77 percent still living) while the median survival for those who received dacarbazine was 8 months (64 percent still living).

“The approval of Zelboraf by the U.S. F.D.A. marks a major advance in the treatment of metastatic melanoma,” said Dr. Michael Smylie. “Metastatic melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers in humans and treatment until recently has been mostly futile. Melanoma patients now have an effective treatment option available to them with at least 50% of all patients getting a significant response, and future discoveries will hopefully be able to give even more successful treatment outcomes.”

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. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation

The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based 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 skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer. Donations go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

The Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and support to those affected by melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

VANCOUVER, BC (June 15, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation will host a Patient Information Symposium on Saturday, June 25^th, 2011 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The free Patient Information Symposium will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists.

Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the information and resources available are still lacking. The Save Your Skin Foundation is working hard to change this. “One of our main objectives is to provide emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer”, explains David Barnard, Executive Director of Save Your Skin. David Barnard’s Mother, Kathleen Barnard (Founder, Save Your Skin) is currently battling melanoma.

Several leading experts will speak at the Symposium, including Dr. Michael Smylie (Medical Oncologist, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB), and Dr. Sasha Smiljanic (Medical Oncologist at the Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, BC). Dr. Joel Claveau, dermatologist at the Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions Clinic, CHUQ Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, in Quebec, has also been very supportive of the Save Your Skin Foundation. Claveau explains, “The Save Your Skin Foundation and events such as this [symposium] are critical to patients, and patient caregivers, who need quick access to information. The Foundation’s educational, emotional and financial assistance is a significant support to families.”

The details of the Symposium are below.

SAVE YOUR SKIN™ PATIENT INFORMATION SYMPOSIUM

• Date: Saturday, June 25^th, 2011
• Venue: Vancouver Art Gallery
• Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Details: Free patient information symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists

To register online, visit http://saveyourskinpatientsymposium.eventbrite.com/ or call Marion Pérole 604-734-4223.

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. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation

The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based 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 skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.

Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.

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For further information please contact:

Marion Pérole

Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing

T: 604-734-4223 or E: mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com

The Save Your Skin Foundation will host a meaningful breakfast on June 7th that may just save your life.

VANCOUVER, BC (May 24, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation will host an important fundraising breakfast on June 7th, which will help to raise much-needed funds and awareness in support of all skin cancers.
Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the average Canadian’s awareness of the disease remains insufficient for the increasing risk. The Save Your Skin Foundation aims to change this. The breakfast and silent auction are part of a larger campaign to ensure greater support, funds, and awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers throughout Canada.
“Our skin is the largest organ of our body and its health is the easiest to monitor,” explains Kathy Barnard, Save Your Skin’s Founder. “We are more familiar with our skin than any other organ, so we take it for granted. We need to protect our skin just like any other organ.” This tendency works against the fact that early detection of melanoma is crucial to chances of long-term survival.
Canadian celebrities, community leaders, and others have stepped forward to support Kathy Barnard in her fight against melanoma and will be attending the breakfast on June 7th. The Save Your Skin Foundation is honoured to have #1 selling Jazz musician Jill Barber, Two and a Half Men star Emmanuelle Vaugier, Gina Holden (Saw 3D), Karen Cliché (Vampire High, Flash Gordon), CFL retired linebacker Javier Glatt, Vancouver Canuck’s Legend Stan Smyl, and others, joining them at the breakfast.

Exclusive high value auction items have also been confirmed and the Foundation hopes this will help bring in further dollars to help those affected by melanoma.

KNOW THE SKIN YOU’RE IN™: A breakfast to save your skin, to save your life.

• Date: Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
• Venue: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver
• Registration and Silent Auction from 7:00am – 7:30am
• Breakfast and Guest Speakers from 7:30am – 9:00am
• Final Silent Auction Bidding from 9:00am – 9:30am
• Tickets: $125 per Individual or $1,250 for a Table
For tickets and information visit http://saveyourskinbreakfast.eventbrite.com/ or call 604-734-4223. The first person to purchase a table will also win tickets to the Sam Roberts Band concert on May 28th at the Malkin Bowl, Vancouver.

About Melanoma in Canada
Every year, thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with Melanoma. The incidence of melanoma, the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer, has more than tripled over the last thirty years and continues to increase. Roughly 5,300 Canadian will be diagnosed with melanoma this year and 920 will die from the disease. Melanoma is one of the few cancers to affect young adults and is the second most common cancer amongst 15-34 year olds. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based 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 skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.
Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.
For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.

For further information please contact:
Marion Pérole
Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing
T: 604-734-4223
mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com

Following Recent U.S. Announcement, Save Your Skin Foundation Announces Don’t Fry Day in Canada

VANCOUVER, BC (May 26, 2011) – The Save Your Skin Foundation, a Canadian based not-for-profit, declares Friday, May 27th, 2011 as ‘Don’t Fry Day’ in Canada. This day aligns with the original announcement of ‘Don’t Fry Day’ by the U.S. National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. With further efforts being made towards prevention and awareness, the Save Your Skin Foundation hopes to further critical awareness.
Summer days have arrived, and although there might be clouds in the sky, UV rays are getting stronger. The Save Your Skin Foundation has therefore designated the last Friday in May as ‘Don’t Fry Day’ to encourage sun safety.
No cancer, including melanoma, can ever be prevented with 100% certainty, but the good news is that early detection and prevention can dramatically reduce your risk. What you can do to be ‘sun-safe’:
• Always have sunscreen with you so you can apply it whenever an unplanned outdoor activity arises
• Use sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 whenever you are outdoors (even on grayer days)
• Wear protective clothing with long sleeves and wear hats and sunglasses
• Check for changes in moles, new moles and see you doctor right away if you see anything suspicious
• Limit sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm
• Do not use tanning beds, use sunless self-tanning products instead

Skin cancer is highly curable if detected early, so remember to follow sun-safety guidelines. There are many options for light breathable sun-safe clothing, organic sunscreens, and natural vitamin D sources. It’s never been easier to protect oneself from harmful UV rays. The Save Your Skin Foundation has come across many great companies such as uvprotectiveapparel.com, kinesys.ca, coolasuncare.com, shadesailscanada.com, and solise.com.

Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Everyone, irrelevant of skin tone, can be at risk for skin cancer. To reduce the harmful effects of excessive and unprotected sun exposure, protection from UV radiation should be a life-long practice.

The Save Your Skin Foundation focuses on education and awareness, as well as providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer. In June, the Foundation will host two events, one of which will occur during Canada’s National Sun Awareness Week. The event, on June 7th, will host celebrities, media, those affected by skin cancer, and many others to a breakfast and silent auction at the beautiful Fairmont Pacific Rim. Luxury ‘sun-safe’ gift bags, special guest speakers, and door prizes are some of the elements guests will enjoy.

For those wishing to purchase tickets, they can do so at http://saveyourskinbreakfast.eventbrite.com/ or call 604-734-4223. One lucky ticket purchaser will also win tickets and backstage passes to the Sam Roberts Band on May 28th at the Malkin Bowl, Vancouver.

For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.

For further information please contact:
Marion Pérole
Media Liaison, Karran Finlay Marketing
T: 604-734-4223 or E: mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com

U.S. approval of first new melanoma treatment in over a decade represents hope for Canadians

VANCOUVER, BC (March 25, 2011) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today it has approved Yervoy (ipilimumab) to treat metastatic (advanced) melanoma. It is the first new treatment for the disease in more than 10 years, and is the only medicine proven to significantly extend lives of patients living with the disease. Health Canada is reviewing Yervoy for use in Canada and the Save Your Skin Foundation hopes this approval will happen soon.

“The discovery of Yervoy represents a significant advance in the treatment of melanoma,” says Kathy Barnard, Founder of the Save Your Skin Foundation. “As there are no current patient options that extend life, we hope to soon celebrate its availability in Canada.”

This news hits a personal note for Barnard, who is currently fighting her own battle with melanoma. In 2003 Barnard was first diagnosed, and by 2005 stage IV malignant melanoma had spread. Tumors were found in her left lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland. With available treatments proving ineffective, Barnard researched other options and Yervoy (ipilimumab) was available in Canada through a clinical study.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have had access to this medication,” says Barnard. “Awareness and access to new treatments is critical. Without countless hours of research, my family wouldn’t have found clinical studies, and I wouldn’t be alive today”. One of the key objectives of Save Your Skin is to create national awareness of available treatment options, so other families don’t have to go through what Barnard’s family did.

In its late stages, the average life expectancy for melanoma is just six months, with a one-­‐year survival rate of only 25%, making metastatic melanoma one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. It has also been largely unresponsive to treatment.

“Advanced melanoma is largely unresponsive to treatments we currently have available,” said Dr. Michael Smylie. “The responses we’ve seen with ipilimumab mark an important paradigm shift in the treatment of melanoma that gives us a chance to provide long-­‐lasting responses for patients.”

Evidence published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows that overall survival was significantly improved for advanced melanoma patients treated with Yervoy. The one and two year estimated survival rates for patients treated with Yervoy were 46% and 24%, respectively, which is nearly double that of the control group.

If approved in Canada, Yervoy would provide advanced melanoma suffers with an important new treatment option, the first in over a decade.

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. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based 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 skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer. Donations go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

The two events, planned to raise awareness of melanoma, come at a critical time as the incidence of the disease increases faster than any other cancer

VANCOUVER, April 5 /CNW/ - The Save Your Skin Foundation announced two highly anticipated events today. A prestigious fundraising breakfast, in early June, will help to raise much-needed funds in support of all skin cancers. A free ‘Patient Information Symposium’, later in the month, will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists.

Although the incidence of melanoma is rising faster than that of any other cancer, the average Canadian’s awareness of the disease remains insufficient for the increasing risk. The Save Your Skin Foundation aims to change this. These two events are a part of a larger campaign to ensure greater support, funds, and awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers throughout Canada.

“Our skin is the largest organ of our body and its health is the easiest to monitor,” explains Kathy Barnard, Save Your Skin’s Founder. “We tend to be more familiar with our skin than any other organ and yet, because of our familiarity, we tend to take our skin for granted. When it is under duress, we do not get particularly concerned.” This tendency works against the fact that early detection of melanoma is crucial to the chances of long-term survival.

The Save Your Skin Foundation will host the fundraising breakfast on June 7th and the Patient Information Symposium on June 25th. These events are made possible through the financial support of our proud sponsors.

KNOW THE SKIN YOU’RE IN™: A breakfast to save your skin, to save your life.

Date: Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
Venue: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver
Registration and Silent Auction from 7:00am – 7:30am
Breakfast and Guest Speakers from 7:30am – 9:00am
Final Silent Auction Bidding from 9:00am – 9:30am
Tickets: $125 per Individual or $1,250 for a Table

SAVE YOUR SKIN™ Patient Information Symposium

Date: Saturday, June 25th, 2011
Venue: Vancouver Art Gallery
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Details: Free patient information symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading specialists. For tickets and information call 604-734-4223 or email mperole@karranfinlaymarketing.com.

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. One in 74 men and 1 in 90 women are expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime; 1 in 284 men and 1 in 486 women will die of it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, causing 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. Currently in Canada, there is no treatment proven to extend the lives of people diagnosed with metastatic (advanced) melanoma, despite the rising incidence of the disease.

About the Save Your Skin Foundation
The Save Your Skin Foundation was created by family, friends, and colleagues of Founder Kathy Barnard, who is currently battling melanoma. Save Your Skin is a Canadian based 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 skin cancer, and on supporting the ongoing research and treatment of skin cancer.

Funds raised go towards providing critical and timely treatments, as well as ongoing education, research, and awareness initiatives.

For additional information please visit www.saveyourskin.ca or contact Marion Pérole at 604-734-4223.