By Mark Squibb
Beverly Corrigan-Barbour will once again be hosting a Strides for Melanoma walk in Witless Bay this May.
Barbour, herself a Melanoma cancer survivor, first hosted the walk in 2020, and has done so consecutively every year since.
In March of 2019, Barbour noticed a very small mole on the side of her left knee and decided to have the mole checked by her family doctor.
That May, she was diagnosed with melanoma, and the offending mole was removed.
“Two years later, on a visit to my dermatologist, there was a lump found in the same area under the skin, which I had thought was just scar tissue,” explained Barbour. “It turned out that I have metastatic malignant melanoma.”
Since her initial diagnosis in 2019, Barbour has campaigned extensively to raise awareness of melanoma, how to detect it, and how, in many cases, to prevent it.
“I have a vision, and a purpose, to educate people on awareness of early detection and prevention,” said Barbour. “80 percent of all melanomas are preventable and are caused by UV rays.”
She encourages people to use broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects from both UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) and UVB (ultraviolet B radiation) rays, and apply it at least 15 minutes before heading out, and to re-apply it frequently.
“We’re fooled by the wind,” said Barbour. “We don’t realize just how strong those rays are. Sun safety is extremely important.”
“If you have any questions about something on your body, something that could be so small, have it checked,” Barbour added. “It’s better to hear, ‘It’s nothing,’ than to ignore it and have it be something.”
This year’s walk will be held on May 25 at 160 Witless Bay Line, and Barbour says that everybody and anyone is welcome to join.
This year, volunteers sold 50/50 tickets ahead of the walk. The winner will be announced at the walk.
Folks will also be treated to live entertainment, hot dogs and hamburgers, and fun activities for kids.
This year’s event will also mark Barbour’s last year hosting the event.
Barbour, who said she’s thankful for the immense support she has received these last years, had committed to host the walk for five years, and has held true to her commitment. She said that she will continue to walk each year in support of the cause and will continue to raise awareness of melanoma. Should anyone wish to take on the responsibility of hosting the walk themselves they need but ask.
The Witless Bay event remains possibly the only in-person event across the country, as many, if not all, walks are held virtually.
