Kathy’s journey with melanoma began in 2003, after discovering a lump on her arm that was initially dismissed as benign. A year later, when the lump became painful, it was removed—and she learned it had been misdiagnosed. She was facing Stage 4 malignant melanoma.

 

By 2005, the cancer had spread to her lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland. In 2006, she was told she had six months to live. With no roadmap, no support system, and no one to guide her through treatment, she and her family navigated the uncertainty alone. It was during this moment that Save Your Skin was born—out of a simple but powerful goal: to ensure no one else would have to face melanoma alone - like she had.

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With limited options in Canada at the time, her sons helped locate a clinical trial in the United States, and an oncologist in Edmonton agreed to administer the immunotherapy. The treatment reduced her tumours, but in 2007 a 9 cm mass was discovered in her bowel. After surgery, she entered another clinical trial. A subsequent PET scan revealed a small tumour in her right kidney, which was removed in January 2009. She has been cancer-free ever since.

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In the midst of treatment, recovery, and uncertainty, Save Your Skin was taking shape in the most unlikely way. The foundation began while she was still in a hospital bed in North Vancouver recovering from surgery—supported by friends, family, and colleagues who believed in the vision even before it had a name. There was no strategic plan, no funding roadmap, and no experience in starting a charity. Yet there they were—racing to set up a bank account so they could issue cheques and take part in the Lynn Valley Days parade in North Vancouver, BC. Kathy’s desire in forming Save Your Skin was driven by one thing alone: a deep passion to make sure other patients would have what she didn’t—community, guidance, and support.

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What began as one patient’s fight grew into something far greater. Save Your Skin emerged organically—built by friends, coworkers, volunteers, clinicians, and fellow patients who simply wanted to help. Patients became advocates. Strangers became friends. Support turned into strength. Together, they transformed fear into action and isolation into belonging.

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Over twenty years, Save Your Skin has remained steadfastly patient-led, evolving from grassroots beginnings into a nationally respected voice for equitable access to care, innovative treatments, and compassionate patient support. Thousands of patients have been supported, and millions of  dollars invested in care, education, and hope. Yet the true impact can’t be measured in numbers—it’s measured in strength, resilience, bravery. It’s grandparents watching graduations, parents seeing their children grow, and patients finding joy in everyday moments and re-embracing their dreams.

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Looking back, she doesn’t just see years. She sees people—faces, stories, hands reaching out and pulling others forward. She sees late nights of worry and early mornings of hope. Laughter, tears, courage, and compassion woven together into a community. 

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Today, Save Your Skin is more than a charity. It is a chosen family, built coast to coast, grounded in the belief that patients must always come first. As the organization marks its 20th year, it honours everyone who helped build this movement—patients, caregivers, clinicians, funders, and community champions—while recommitting to what comes next.

Because this journey was never about one person. It was always about all of us and the difference we could make together.

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Twenty years strong. Community first. Patient-led. And just getting started.