Join us for the Sixth Annual 5km Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness in 20 cities across Canada on Sunday, September 24, 2017

OAKVILLE, ON, Sept. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Lace up your sneakers and join the Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC) for the sixth annual 5km Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness supported by Neutrogena^® on Sunday, September 24, 2017. Help raise awareness and funds for melanoma patient support programs, prevention efforts and increased awareness with 20 walks across Canada and a virtual walk. To register to walk or for more information, visit www.melanomanetwork.ca.

"The annual Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness raises funds for national patient support programs and prevention efforts for this potentially fatal form of skin cancer," states Annette Cyr, Founder and Chair of the Board of the Melanoma Network of Canada.  "With thousands of Canadians being diagnosed with melanoma each year, education and prevention is key. The first Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness was held in 2011. Each year, new locations are added and in 2017, there are now 20 walk sites across Canada as well as a virtual walk."

Centre	Location	Registration**
St Johns, Newfoundland	Quidi Vidi Lake Park	9am
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia	Fairbanks Centre – Shubie Park	9am
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia	Ellenwood Provincial Park	1pm
Summerside, Prince Edward Island	Summerside Boardwalk	9am
Windsor, Ontario	Assumption Park, Riverdale Trail	9am
Kitchener, Ontario	Huron Natural Area	9am
Hamilton, Ontario	Confederation Beach Park	9am
London, Ontario	Thames Park	9am
Mississauga, Ontario	Erindale Park	9am
Toronto, Ontario	Sunnybrook Park	9am
Kingston, Ontario	Rotary Park	9am
Ottawa, Ontario	Andrew Haydon Park	9am
Montreal, Quebec	Mount Royal Park, Pavilion du Lac-aux-Castors	9am
Winnipeg, Manitoba	Assiniboine Park Conservatory	11am
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	Meewasin Park	9am
Calgary, Alberta	Sandy Beach Park, Elbow River	9am
Edmonton, Alberta	Hermitage Park	9am
Vancouver, British Columbia	Horseshoe Bay Park	9am
Kamloops, British Columbia	Riverside Park	9am
Courtenay, British Columbia	Courtenay Riverway – Marina Park	9am
Virtual Walk	Online	Online
** local time

"Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness raises awareness about the importance of protecting against harmful UV rays from the sun and artificial sources as well as checking your skin regularly and seeing a dermatologist for anything of concern," adds Annette. "Melanoma is a devastating disease that can be prevented by taking sun protection measures, including using sunscreen daily and wearing sun-safe clothing. It all starts with awareness."

Melanoma is one of the top seven most frequent occurring cancers in Canada and is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in youth ages 15-29. You are at a higher risk of developing melanoma if you have one or more of the following characteristics: prolonged exposure to UV radiation including outdoor sun and artificial UV radiation (tanning beds, sun lamps); severe blistering, sunburns before the age of 20; a family history of melanoma; more than 50 moles on your body; moles with unusual shape or colour; skin that tends to burn; fair or freckled skin; red or blonde hair and blue eyes; or a weakened immune system.

"Roughly 7,300 (4,000 males and 3,300 females) Canadians will be newly diagnosed with melanoma in 2017," states Toronto-based Dr. Paul Cohen, Dermatologist and Director, Rosedale Dermatology Centre in Toronto. "This isn't a small number, yet most people don't believe they're at risk. Melanoma can affect anyone regardless of sex, age or race. Educating Canadians on the importance of preventive measures and early detection are crucial to reducing melanoma."

As the walk co-ordinator for the Vancouver Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness, 33-year old Carly Smith is passionate about youth education and melanoma and has spoken at the University of British Columbia about melanoma prevention. Carly has been diagnosed with melanoma three times. Each time she noticed the melanoma through a self-exam and went to her doctor for a biopsy to get a diagnosis. The melanoma was removed with a local incision and she did not require radiation.

"Melanoma is one of the cancers we can see early on," says Carly. "I have red hair, blue eyes, used tanning beds and did not use sunscreen when I was younger. Everything you should not do. I am now an advocate on the importance of prevention and early detection. It is important to check yourself regularly and notice if there are any changes to your moles. Had I not been diligent when I noticed the melanoma on my back and on my hip and gone to the doctor, the diagnosis could have been very different."

Montreal native Carol H will be taking part in this year's Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness on Mount Royal. This will be her third consecutive walk, having raised over $8,000 in previous years. She has had melanoma twice, at relatively young ages. In each case, her melanoma was found early, removed surgically, and did not require radiation or chemotherapy.

"I have hundreds of moles and am followed closely by my dermatologist, with appointments every 3 months," says Carol. "I am thankful for a proactive, diligent dermatologist. She saved my life, twice. Since the second diagnosis in 2013, they have removed at least 10 more moles, taking out a couple a year. Waiting for the pathology reports is stressful, but, thankfully, they have been negative. I now stay out of the sun, wear sunglasses and a hat, and carry sunscreen with me. I even have an app on my phone to check the UV; if it is high, I take all precautions. I don't attend outdoor events and get angry with people who still grill themselves under the sun. Ultimately, I am happy to be alive and pale versus dead and tanned."

When she was diagnosed with melanoma three years ago, 30-year old melanoma survivor Ashley Chlebo's world was turned upside down. She was wearing a sundress at a family outing at a winery and her sister noticed a mole on her back that did not look right. Although they have a family history of skin cancer, nobody in her family had melanoma. Ashley made an appointment with her doctor, part of the mole was removed and sent to the lab for a biopsy. When the results came back that it was cancerous, she was sent to a dermatologist and some additional moles were removed as a precaution and tested, but were not melanoma.

"I was never a sun worshipper, but I did have several burns," states Ashley. "The diagnosis had a profound effect on me as I have a young son and I want to be there to see him grow up. I work in the landscape industry, when I am consulting with a client on their project, I make sure I am wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. This is my fourth-time walking in the Strides for Melanoma in Mississauga to help raise awareness."

Melanoma can be a deadly form of cancer, but if diagnosed early, it is often treatable. It is one of few cancers that is preventable and is visible to the naked eye.

About Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC):
The Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC) provides support services, information and programs for individuals whose lives have been changed by melanoma. MNC provides the leading national voice for melanoma patients in Canada for early detection and improved treatment access and works diligently to prevent more Canadians from developing melanoma through public awareness and youth and adult education on sun safety.  For more information, please visit www.melanomanetwork.ca. Charitable Registration number: 854913050RR0001

About Neutrogena^®:  
A worldwide leader in premium, dermatologist-recommended skin and hair care products, Neutrogena^® has been providing consumers with health and beauty improvements for over 60 years in Canada.

SOURCE Melanoma Network of Canada

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