By Mark Squibb | June 10, 2021
Beverly Corrigan couldn’t help but pump her fist in celebration at the end of the day.
About 35 folks came out for the Strides for Melanoma walk on Sunday, May 30, along the Witless Bay Line, the second of its kind in recent years. Others walked ‘virtually’ on their own time. Those who walked in person also enjoyed music, 50/50 draws, and the like, all done with COVID precautions in mind.
By the end of the day, volunteers had raised $6,200, with donations still coming in.
That’s a considerable increase from the $4,500 raised last year.
“This was definitely a team effort,” said Corrigan, the Walk Coordinator with the Melanoma Network. “That money to me means that more people are being aware, and more people want to make a difference.”
Corrigan said that due to personal circumstances, she couldn’t commit as much time throughout the year as she would have liked raising awareness for the fundraiser, and because of that she was expecting handy around the same as last year, if not less.
“People are really supportive, which is fabulous,” said Corrigan. “It’s such a good feeling.”
The event also struck an emotional chord with all those in in attendance, as tribute was paid to Beverly’s father Albert Corrigan, who passed away earlier this year.
“Dad was a big part of my walk last year, a huge part of it,” said Corrigan. “I had a big sign, and he signed it last year. When I took it down this year, I read ‘There’ll be a bigger party next year. I’m so proud of you. Love, Dad.’ So, it was quite emotional, in a good way. It was so positive. When you do things out of love, everything will always go right, and that’s how that that went, and everyone felt it.”
Corrigan, also an active member of the Melanoma Network’s Patient Advisory Committee, has been a force for melanoma awareness over the past year. She organized the first annual Strides for Melanoma last September and was named the Melanoma Network’s Volunteer of The Year in 2020.
As we head into the sunny summer months, Corrigan reminds folks to ‘stay sun safe’ by wearing SPF 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen, appropriate clothing on sunny days (including brimmed hats and sunglasses), and being careful during the ‘peak time’ (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. from March to October.)
She noted that in Newfoundland, folks might not think of applying sunscreen on days that don’t feel hot because of strong, cold winds.
“People who normally go to Florida and who carrying their sunscreen with them and reapplying, are not doing it here because the winds are masking it,” said Corrigan.
Meanwhile, folks are already looking forward to next year’s event, said Corrigan.
