By Mark Squibb / June 2, 2023
Despite continuing financial pressures felt by many people in the wake of the pandemic and its ensuing inflation, this past weekend’s Witless Bay Strides for Melanoma event was the region’s biggest yet.
About 150 people turned up, including special guests and community groups, which organizer Beverly Corrigan says is quite an increase over last year’s event.
And along with attendee numbers, donations were also up.
“By the end of the day, we had raised about $7,558, with still more coming,” said Corrigan. “I anticipate we’ll reach about $8,500, which is a good increase from last year as well.”
In 2022, volunteers raised about $7,000, which was an increase over the previous year. In fact, donations have increased with each annual event since the inaugural event in 2020.
Over and above donations, Corrigan said that event is a means to get information to the public about the disease, and how to prevent it.
“People are becoming more informed and educated about early detection and prevention of melanoma,” said Corrigan. “And my ultimate goal is to educate people, so I’m quite pleased and overwhelmed with the amount of support.”
To that end, Corrigan recommends wearing SPF 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen and appropriate clothing on sunny days (including brimmed hats and sunglasses), even if it is windy and cold. It’s important to be covered especially during the ‘peak time’ (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. from March to October.)
Corrigan said that branching out to host the event has been a risk, but a risk worth taking, and that she’s filled with gratitude for those who came out, donated, and volunteered.
The group is accepting donations up to June 13.
