Bev Corrigan (right) hosted her fifth and final Strides for Melanoma fundraiser walk this past weekend along the Old Witless Bay Line. Pictured with Corrigan are Gen Corrigan, left, winner of the Landells Clinic skincare package valued at $415, and Wanda Squires, centre, winner of the $10,000 ticket draw. The event raised $16,737 for Melanoma Canada. All told, folks across Canada have raised $111,300 through 2024 Strides for Melanoma events. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb
After helping raise tens of thousands of dollars for Melanoma Canada over the last five years, Beverley Corrigan of Witless Bay hosted her fifth and final Strides for Melanoma event this past weekend.
“I am very grateful,” said Corrigan. “The sense of accomplishment is quite amazing. I know I’ve done well, and I don’t think I’m leaving anything undone. I believe I did what I set out to do, and the support from people around me has been quite amazing.”
In 2019, Corrigan noticed what appeared to be a small mole on her left leg. Following a biopsy, her doctor confirmed it was melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The lymph nodes were removed, but just over two years later the melanoma returned, requiring further treatments.
Following her initial diagnosis, Corrigan made it her goal to raise not only funds, but awareness, especially as most forms of melanoma are preventable.
To protect oneself, Corrigan recommends applying broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects from both UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) and UVB (ultraviolet B radiation) rays, at least 15 minutes before heading out, and to re-apply frequently.
This year’s event was held last Saturday along the Old Witless Bay Line, with more than 200 people attending.
All told, Southern Shore folks raised $16,737 for Melanoma Canada.
“Even with inflation, we still did extremely well,” said Corrigan. “People are generous, and the figure certainly shows that.”
A portion of funds raised were from the sale of 50/50 tickets. The $10,000 ticket winner was Wanda Squires. The ticket draw took place at the Witless Bay Knights of Columbus Building, and the draw was witnessed by Grand Knight Jimmy Boland and past Grand Knight Barry Dillion. Former Ferryland District MHA Keith Hutchings drew the winning ticket.
Gen Corrigan, meanwhile, was the winner of the Landells Clinic skincare package.
Funds raised are to be used for special initiatives, such as the Mole Mobile, a mobile unit that will visit remote, Indigenous and underserved communities along with major cities across the country to educate people on sun safety and skin cancer.
Corrigan extended special thanks to the Knights of Columbus Dean Patrick Cleary Council 6672 and Msgr. Rawlins Assembly 2010 for fundraising support, and Monsignor Pat Kennedy for delivering the blessing.
Face painters, costumed characters, and a BBQ rounded out the event.
“Overall,” said Corrigan, “I couldn’t ask for anything better — although, I could have asked for better weather, but you can’t have it all right?”
