As part of a public awareness campaign during May, Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) invites provinces and municipalities across the country to proclaim May ‘Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month’.
The City of Kelowna, BC joins a steadily growing number of cities—currently 50—and 8 provinces across Canada who answered the call to take a stance against skin cancer this summer, helping to bring greater awareness to this dangerous, and largely preventable, disease.
“The City of Kelowna is proud to proclaim May 2025 as Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “With summer approaching and people spending more time outdoors, it’s crucial to stay safe in the sun. I want to thank the Save Your Skin Foundation for their vital work in raising awareness about the devastating impact of skin cancer. By wearing sunscreen, sharing knowledge, and taking preventative steps, we can all help work toward a future without skin cancer.”
In Canada, over 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. In 2024, 11,300 of these were melanomas, the deadliest form. This is an increase of 16% from the previous year. In 2024, over 1,300 lost their lives to the disease. Despite these figures, Canadians are spending more time in the sun without taking recommended precautions.
“Many young people are still ignoring the dangers of the sun, even as skin cancer rates skyrocket,” warns
Kathy Barnard, stage 4 melanoma survivor and Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation. “Skin cancer isn’t
just a wrinkle down the road—it can be deadly. Most cases could be prevented with simple precautions.”
Sun Safety Tips
Applying sunscreen is part of an overall sun-safe way to enjoy the outdoors. First, limit your time in the direct sunlight, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., seek shade, cover up by wearing long sleeves and pants and a wide-brimmed hat. Use sunscreen, specifically one labeled broad-spectrum, SPF 30, protect the lips with lip sunscreen or zinc oxide. Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours or after swimming.
About Save Your Skin Foundation
Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) is a patient-led not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fight against non-melanoma skin cancers, melanoma, and ocular melanoma through education, advocacy, and awareness initiatives across Canada. SYSF provides a community of oncology patient and caregiver support throughout the entire continuum of care, from prevention and diagnosis to survivorship. Please
visit saveyourskin.ca for more information.
