The Acapella group will be singing songs by the Beatles, Coldplay, Pink, Sarah Mclachlan, Bedouin Soundclash, and more.

Entrance is by donation. Come join us for an afternoon of exciting entertainment from 4pm to 6pm at St Andrew’s United Church in North Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(May 4, 2012) – The Save Your Skin Foundation, a Canadian based not-for-profit, reminds us of sun safety during Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma Awareness Month is a global health initiative supported by the Save Your Skin Foundation, which provides awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. With further efforts being made towards prevention and education, the Save Your Skin Foundation hopes to further critical awareness.

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.

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 grey 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

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.

Early detection is crucial – The “ABCDE” system:

A -  is for Asymmetry, or irregularity of shape. Non-cancerous pigmented lesions usually are round and symmetrical, but early malignant melanomas are usually asymmetrical.

B -  is for irregular Border. Benign growths usually have regular margins.

C -  is for Colour. Cancerous growths tend to vary in shades – from tan to brown to black, sometimes mixed in with pink, red, or white.

D -  is for Diameter. If the growth measures more than 6 millimeters across (about 1/4″), it is dangerous.

E -  is for Evolution. Has there been a change in size, shape, color, or height? Has a new symptom developed (such as bleeding, itching or crusting)?

The Save Your Skin Foundation focuses on education and awareness, as well as providing emotional and financial support to those dealing with skin cancer. This May, the Foundation will host two melanoma patient information symposiums. The first takes place Saturday, May 5 in Ottawa at the University of Ottawa from 10am – 2pm. The second will be in Montreal on May 19. Other symposiums will be taking place throughout Canada. Details will be posted soon on the Save Your Skin website. To register for the Ottawa or Montreal symposiums, visit http://www.2mevents.com/index.php/event/save-your-skin-foundation-patient-symposium or call Kelly Scott at 604-734-4223.

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

“In June of 2010 during a regular hair cut my hairdresser found a spot on the back of my head and suggested that I have my doctor take a look.  Within a week my doctor removed the spot and sent it off for biopsy.  The results arrived 2 weeks later that it was a Melanoma.  The pathology on a second excision taken a couple of months later, by the only surgeon in our area who does scalp surgery, showed no cancer.  If not for my GP’s quick decision to excise it himself,  and not wait for a surgeon’s appointment, the outcome would probably have been much different.  I really feel that I owe my life to my hairdresser and my GP.

In celebration of my life and recognition of a milestone birthday I will embark on a journey that has been on my bucket list for many years.  On April 15, 2012, my husband Robert and I  will start our pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago.  This is a traditional walk that starts in the French village of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and ends 800 kilometres later in Santiago Spain.  I am dedicating my pilgrimage to Melanoma awareness and research and will chronicle our journey through a blog that will detail our day to day adventures and will invite readers to support  the Save Your Skin Foundation.

Please join us on our journey and remember – Be good to your skin!”

Cheers,
Brenda

VANCOUVER, BC (April 19, 2012) – Canadian skin cancer advocates unanimously support the pCODR (pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review), final recommendation for Yervoy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.  Joining the Save Your Skin Foundation are the Alberta Society of Melanoma, The Canadian Dermatology Association, the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance. Together they are urging all provinces to move swiftly to provide immediate funding for Yervoy.

The final pCODR recommendation, made public on April 18, supports Yervoy for funding by the provinces. This inter-provincial collaboration will hopefully bring the latest advancements to cancer patients across Canada and help to eliminate uneven coverage between provinces.

“We believe the best available therapies should be accessible by patients.  The melanoma community has been waiting for years for a breakthrough in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and now we have two,” said Kathy Barnard, founder of Save Your Skin Foundation and a melanoma patient herself. “We will be watching carefully for the provinces to adopt the pCODR recommendation for Yervoy.”

The groups are pleased to have formally participated in the pCODR process and are happy with the final result and that their voice has been heard.

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 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.

About the Alberta Society of Melanoma

The Alberta Society of Melanoma was founded in 1995 by dermatologist Dr. T.G. Salopek and a group of concerned patients and their families. The Alberta Society of Melanoma strives to better educate the general public about melanoma and to provide a support network for patients with melanoma.

 About the Canadian Dermatology Association

The Canadian Dermatology Association, founded in 1925, represents Canadian dermatologists. The association strives to provide easy access to the largest, most reliable source of medical knowledge on dermatology. CDA exists to advance the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the care of the skin, hair and nails; provide continuing professional development for its members; support and advance patient care; provide public education on sun protection and other aspects of skin health; and promote a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. By doing so, CDA informs and empowers both medical professionals and the Canadian public.

 About the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation

Skin cancer is preventable! Through education, awareness, advocacy and research, the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation is dedicated to the reduction of the occurrence of skin cancer in Canada. Our vision is a world without skin cancer. Champions of the Foundation support our national Sun Safe School Education Program and skin cancer awareness campaign.

About the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance

Founded in 2007, The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) is a by patients-for-patients, resource and community for all skin patients living with a skin conditions and disorders.  As a national umbrella organization for Canadian not-for-profit patient groups and organizations that deal with skin conditions and diseases, the CSPA is an important hub of skin-health-related information in Canada. As an advocate for awareness, education, research and access to appropriate care, the CSPA represents the voice of the millions of skin patients and their families.

‐30 ‐

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(April 5, 2012) – The Save Your Skin Foundation will host Melanoma Patient Information Symposiums in Ottawa and Montreal this May, 2012. The Symposiums will provide critical information and resources, as well as the rare opportunity to speak to and hear from leading experts in oncology and dermatology.

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. In 2011, they launched their first highly successful Symposium in Vancouver and in 2012 will be hosting Symposiums across the country. “We want to reach as many Canadians as possible,” explains David Barnard, Executive Director of Save Your Skin. “One of the Foundations main objectives is to provide emotional and financial support to all Canadians dealing with melanoma.”

Leading expert Dr. Vince Young, Medical Oncologist at the Ottawa Hospital, will be a key speaker at Ottawa’s Symposium, and Dr. Joel Claveau, Dermatologist at the Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions Clinic, Hospital Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, will be speaking at the Montreal Symposium. Other experts will also be in attendance, as well as educational and support groups.

Dr. Claveau, who was involved in last year’s Vancouver Symposium, recently expressed, “The Save Your Skin Foundation and events such as these [symposiums] 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 2012 Symposiums are below.

SAVE YOUR SKIN™ PATIENT INFORMATION SYMPOSIUM OTTAWA
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Venue: University of Ottawa, Desmarais Building, 55 Laurier Avenue
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Details: Melanoma Patient Information Symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading experts. Registration is by donation.

SAVE YOUR SKIN™ PATIENT INFORMATION SYMPOSIUM MONTREAL
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Venue: Mount Royal Centre
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Details: Melanoma Patient Information Symposium offering critical information and resources, plus the rare opportunity to speak with leading experts. Registration is by donation.

Save Your Skin Foundation will also be hosting Melanoma Patient Information Symposiums in Halifax, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Dates and details to follow. Please check back at www.saveyourskin.ca for updates.

To register for a Symposium, visit http://www.2mevents.com/index.php/event/save-your-skin-foundation-patient-symposium or call Kelly Scott at 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 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.

VANCOUVER, BC, March 30, 2012 – National skin cancer groups have come together to commend pCODR (pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review), for recognizing the clinical value of the newest treatments for melanoma. Joining the Save Your Skin Foundation are the Alberta Society of Melanoma, The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance.

“This news is the hope the melanoma community has been waiting on for years,” said Kathy Barnard, founder of Save Your Skin Foundation and a melanoma patient herself. “Recently there have been great strides in terms of skin cancer prevention with several provinces moving to implement tanning bed legislation. It’s now time to turn to treating this deadly cancer and today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. We are hopeful that the provinces will continue to put emphasis on the importance of melanoma and make these two treatments available to patients as soon as possible.”

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.

“This is a major first step and shows that pCODR has recognized the significant progress these two treatments represent for patients,” said Dr. Joël Claveau, Dermatologist at the Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions Clinic, Hospital Hôtel-Dieu de Québec. “Physicians have desperately needed new advances and it’s encouraging that now we have two new options. Historically melanoma is a difficult cancer to treat and now with Yervoy and Zelboraf we have a chance to make a difference in survival for patients.”

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 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.

About the Alberta Society of Melanoma
The Alberta Society of Melanoma was founded in 1995 by dermatologist Dr. T.G. Salopek and a group of concerned patients and their families. The Alberta Society of Melanoma strives to better educate the general public about melanoma and to provide a support network for patients with melanoma.

About the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation
The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, founded in 2002 by Dr. Barry Lycka, is dedicated to the elimination of skin cancers through education, awareness, advocacy and research. It achieves this mission by delivering awareness and education programs that will help reduce the occurrence of skin cancer in Canada, advocating to restrict the use tanning beds for those under the age of 18 years and supporting the Mary Johnston Melanoma Research Fund at the Cross Cancer Institute.

About the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
Founded in 2007, The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) is a by patients-for-patients, resource and community for all skin patients living with a skin conditions and disorders. As a national umbrella organization for Canadian not-for-profit patient groups and organizations that deal with skin conditions and diseases, the CSPA is an important hub of skin-health-related information in Canada. As an advocate for awareness, education, research and access to appropriate care, the CSPA represents the voice of the millions of skin patients and their families.
For further information:

David Barnard
Executive Director, Save Your Skin Foundation
778-835-4911

Tanny Nadon
Director, Alberta Society of Melanoma
780-464-1551

Leona Yez
Executive Director, The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation
780-951-5051

Helen Crawford
Media Liaison, Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
1-877-505-2772

“Unfortunately, cancer affects thousands of British Columbian families with one in three people expected to develop some form of cancer – such as skin cancer like melanoma – in their lifetime,” said Health Minister Michael de Jong. “After a great deal of consideration of clinical evidence, commissioning a report to provide options and listening to what local governments had to say at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention last year, government has decided to restrict access to tanning beds for young people under the age of 18.”

Studies have shown that indoor tanning before the age of 35 raises the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent. Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer. In Canada, the incidence rates of melanoma are rising every year. Overall, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada, and yet it is also one of the most preventable.

In 2012, the BC Cancer Agency estimates that 966 British Columbians will be diagnosed with melanoma and 150 will die of it. One in 69 females and one in 56 males is expected to develop melanoma during their lifetime. One in 413 females and one in 284 males is expected to die of melanoma.

“As a stage four melanoma survivor, I am living proof of the dangers of tanning as a young person,” said Kathleen Barnard, founder of Save Your Skin Foundation. “I welcome today’s announcement to ban people under 18 from tanning beds as anything we can do to prevent skin cancer later in life is good news for the patients who go through treatment and the hundreds of families that are ripped apart by this potentially deadly disease.”

“This is another step forward in cancer prevention,” said Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, CEO Barbara Kaminsky. “This decision to introduce this public policy is both evidence-based and has the support of the majority of British Columbians.”

“Skin cancer is a deadly disease and it’s important that young people are aware of the risks associated with UV rays,” said City of Surrey councillor Mary Martin, chair of the city’s Community Health Programs Committee. “We know that tanning bed usage has increased over the past few decades and the new provincewide approach to regulation will ensure consistency among all local governments.”

“As the first jurisdiction in B.C. to pass a bylaw banning youth under the age of 18 from using commercial tanning beds, I would like to congratulate the Province on taking up this initiative,” said Capital Regional District vice chair mayor Graham Hill. “It is the right thing to do as we try to reduce cancer rates wherever possible.”

“Getting a tan might be a popular option among many young people, but research has shown that it can result in potentially deadly skin cancers later in life,” said Dr. Andy Coldman, BC Cancer Agency vice-president, population oncology. “Restricting access to tanning beds for youth will help reduce the risk of these cancers later in life, and so I applaud today’s decision by the provincial government.”

The proposed regulation under the Public Health Act will ban the use of commercial indoor tanning beds by youth under the age of 18, unless they have a medical prescription. It is anticipated to take effect fall 2012.
The announcement follows the release of a report compiled by an Indoor Tanning Working Group that was put together at the request of the Health Minister in fall 2011 to provide recommendations and options.

The working group was established following the introduction of a bylaw that banned minors under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning beds by the Capital Regional District in Victoria, as well as a subsequent number of requests for a provincewide ban.

The report included the recommendation of implementing a ban for youth under the age of 18 years from using commercial indoor tanning equipment without a medical prescription.

The report is available online at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/index.html

Quick Facts:

• Approximately one in three British Columbians will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. Estimated new cancer diagnoses in British Columbia for 2012: 23,933.
• Estimated new cancer diagnoses for 2025: 34,056.

Despite these statistics, which are a result of our increasing and aging population and are being seen worldwide, B.C. has some of the most favourable outcomes in North America. According to 2010 estimates in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Canadian Cancer Statistics report, “mortality rates for all cancers combined are lowest in B.C.” In 2004, the total economic burden of skin cancer in Canada was estimated to be $532 million – the majority being attributable to melanoma (83.4 per cent), and the balance distributed between basal cell carcinoma (9.1 per cent) and squamous cell carcinoma (7.5 per cent). Of the $532 million, $66 million (12.4 per cent) is associated with direct costs and $466 million (87.6 per cent) with indirect costs.
o Direct costs include primary care, day surgery and hospital care.
o Indirect costs include lost productive time from mortality and morbidity.

For More information:
On melanoma and its causes, treatment and symptoms, visit: www.healthlinkbc.ca The report Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011 from the Canadian Cancer Society: www.cancer.ca The report from the B.C. Tanning Working Group: www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/index.html/

Media contact:
Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Minister of Health
250 952-1887

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 16, 2012  – Roche announced today that Zelboraf (vemurafenib) was approved in Canada as monotherapy for the treatment of BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma. A validated test is required to identify BRAF V600 mutation status.1

Melanoma is the deadliest and most aggressive form of skin cancer, killing 80 to 85 per cent of stage IV patients within five years.2 Approximately half of all patients with melanoma carry a genetic mutation in the BRAF gene.3 Zelboraf is the first and only medicine shown to improve survival in people with BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. It works by targeting and inhibiting the mutated BRAF protein found in about half of all cases of melanoma.3

“The medical community has been waiting for a treatment that will extend patients’ lives while vastly improving quality of life,” says Dr. Joel Claveau, Dermatologist, Dermatologist and Pigmented Lesions Clinic, Hospital Hotel-Dieu de Quebec. “Zelboraf is part of an innovative concept called personalized medicine. With a quick genetic test, I can now have the confidence that I’m prescribing the right treatment to patients who will benefit from it.”

In the pivotal BRIM3 study in treatment-naïve patients, Zelboraf was shown to reduce the risk of death by 56 per cent for people who received Zelboraf compared to those who received dacarbazine.3 The study also found that participants on Zelboraf had a 74 per cent reduced risk of dying or having their disease progress compared to those who received dacarbazine.3 In another study in patients who failed at least one prior systemic therapy (BRIM2), Zelboraf shrank tumours in 52 per cent of trial participants.3

Mark Wallis, a 49-year-old father of three, is one of the 50 per cent of melanoma patients who has the BRAF mutation. Wallis received Zelboraf as part of the BRIM3 trial.

“The cancer had spread to my liver, my bones, both lungs and numerous lymph nodes so I was in an incredible amount of pain. “I was increasingly worried about my life and how it was going to affect my family,” says Wallis, a commercial airline pilot from Milton, Ontario. “Within days of taking Zelboraf, the extreme pain I experienced literally vanished. Within weeks, my tumours had shrunk in size. I felt like I had been given my life back.”

Annette Cyr, chair of the Melanoma Network of Canada, lives with melanoma and is all too familiar with the unique challenges patients have faced until now.

“For Canadians living with metastatic melanoma, the approval of Zelboraf brings new hope,” says Cyr. “Zelboraf offers BRAF-positive patients a chance to live; to raise their children, to spend time with loved ones and to continue to contribute to society.”

Health Canada also recently approved the cobas® 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test,4 a diagnostic test developed by Roche to identify patients eligible for treatment with Zelboraf, enabling oncologists to prospectively identify patients who may benefit from the treatment.

“As someone who has been tested positive for the BRAF mutation, I understand the valuable role that Zelboraf can play in the treatment of metastatic melanoma,” says Kathy Barnard, Founder, Save Your Skin Foundation. “Patients with melanoma simply don’t have the luxury of time and there is tremendous value in knowing right away whether or not a treatment will be effective. Personalized medicines like Zelboraf ensure that patients can receive the best possible care for their type of melanoma.”

Personalized medicine is an innovative approach to healthcare that identifies the specific characteristics of a patient’s illness, enabling physicians to implement the most effective and efficient treatment plan for each individual patient.5

“We believe that investment in personalized medicines is critical for driving optimal patient care while maximizing the use of limited health care resources,” says Ronnie Miller, President and CEO, Roche Canada. “Zelboraf is an innovative, targeted therapy that will deliver effective care and improve outcomes for patients who have been without adequate treatment options for many years.”

For more information on melanoma and its treatment, speak to your doctor or visit www.melanomanetwork.ca or www.saveyourskin.ca.

About Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide, and can affect anyone regardless of sex, age or race.6 It is one of the most frequently-diagnosed cancers in Canada, affecting 5,500 people in 2011 and causing 950 deaths.5

The incidence of melanoma has been increasing for the past 30 years,7 more rapidly among men than any other cancer, and more rapidly among women than any other cancer except lung cancer.8

About BRIM3 and BRIM2

BRIM3 is a global, randomized, open-label, controlled, multicentre, Phase III study that compared Zelboraf to dacarbazine chemotherapy, a standard of care, in 675 patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E mutation-positive, unresectable (inoperable) or metastatic melanoma. The endpoints of BRIM3 were overall survival (OS) and investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Other endpoints included confirmed investigator-assessed best overall response rate. BRIM2 is a global, single-arm, multicentre, open-label Phase II study that enrolled 132 patients with previously treated BRAF V600E mutation-positive, unresectable or metastatic melanoma. The primary endpoint of BRIM2 was confirmed best overall response rate as assessed by independent review. In BRIM3, a higher percentage of patients treated with Zelboraf (42%) than dacarbazine (18%) experienced serious adverse events (SAEs) and the most common treatment-related SAEs in the patients treated with Zelboraf were cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC).

About BRAF V600 Mutation Testing

The cobas® 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test is a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay diagnostic test developed by Roche enabling physicians to identify whether a person with metastatic melanoma is eligible for treatment with Zelboraf. This Health Canada-approved test was clinically validated in the BRIM2 and BRIM3 studies to identify tumors that carry the BRAF V600E mutation. The test is robust, rapid and accurate providing a higher sensitivity in detecting the V600E mutation than Sanger sequencing.9

About Zelboraf

Zelboraf is an oral, small molecule, kinase inhibitor indicated as a monotherapy for the treatment of BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Zelboraf should not be used in patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma or in patients where the BRAF mutational status is not known.

Zelboraf is being co-developed under a 2006 license and collaboration agreement between Roche and Plexxikon, a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche’s personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80,000 employees worldwide and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. Roche Canada was founded in 1931. The company employs approximately 900 people across the country, with its pharmaceuticals head office located in Mississauga, Ontario and diagnostics division based in Laval, Quebec. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities, investing in charitable organizations and partnering with healthcare institutions across the country. For more information, visit www.rochecanada.com.

Entrants can view contest details and submission guidelines by clicking here

The contest begins March 1st, 2012

Submissions must be made no later than May 1st, 2012

Contest winner will be announced on May 15th, 2012

The winning poster will be displayed on the Save Your Skin Foundation website and facebook fan page. The poster will also be displayed at the Save Your Skin tent at various community events across BC.

For more information, please contact David at david@saveyourskin.ca

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.