The Sixth Annual 5km Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness raised over $300,000 In 19 cities across Canada and a Virtual Walk on Sunday, September 24, 2017

OAKVILLE, ON, Oct. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Over 1,200 walkers and volunteers in 19 cities across Canada and a virtual walk joined the Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC) for the sixth annual 5km Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness supported by NEUTROGENA^®, national sponsor MedX Health Corp., community sponsor Merck Canada Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada on Sunday, September 24. The annual walk reached its fundraising goal and raised over $300,000 which will be used for melanoma patient support programs, prevention efforts and increased awareness. For more information, visit www.melanomanetwork.ca.

"Seeing the walkers and volunteers across Canada united in the fight against melanoma is inspiring," states Annette Cyr, Founder and Chair of the Board of the Melanoma Network of Canada. "Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness raises awareness about the importance of protecting against harmful UV rays from the sun and artificial sources as well as checking your skin regularly and seeing a dermatologist for anything of concern. With thousands of Canadians being diagnosed with melanoma each year, education and prevention is key."

The first Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness was held in 2011. Each year, new locations are added and in 2017, there were 19 walk sites across Canada as well as a virtual walk. The annual Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness raises funds for national patient support programs and prevention efforts for this potentially fatal form of skin cancer.

2017 Strides for Melanoma Walk for Awareness Sites:

Roughly 7,300 (4,000 males and 3,300 females) Canadians will be newly diagnosed with melanoma in 2017. Melanoma is one of the top seven most frequent occurring cancers in Canada and is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in youth ages 15-29 and can affect anyone regardless of sex, age or race.

"Melanoma is a devastating disease that can be prevented by taking sun protection measures, including using sunscreen daily and wearing sun-safe clothing," adds Cyr. "If diagnosed early, melanoma is often treatable. It all starts with awareness."

At the Toronto Strides for Melanoma, MedX worked with Dr. Paul Cohen, Dermatologist and Director, Rosedale Dermatology Centre in Toronto to assess 87 walkers' moles using MedX's patented SIAscopy technology to provide a Dermascopic view of a suspicious moles as well as four additional views that are up to 2 mm below the skin's surface.

"We are working together with the Melanoma Network of Canada and Dr. Paul Cohen to increase awareness and early detection of this horrible disease," states Mike Druhan, Vice President Corporate Development, MedX Health Corp.

You are at a higher risk of developing melanoma if you have one or more of the following characteristics: prolonged exposure to UV radiation including outdoor sun and artificial UV radiation (tanning beds, sun lamps); severe blistering, sunburns before the age of 20; a family history of melanoma; more than 50 moles on your body; moles with unusual shape or colour; skin that tends to burn; fair or freckled skin; red or blonde hair and blue eyes; or a weakened immune system.

About Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC):
The Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC) provides support services, information and programs for individuals whose lives have been changed by melanoma. MNC provides the leading national voice for melanoma patients in Canada for early detection and improved treatment access and works diligently to prevent more Canadians from developing melanoma through public awareness and youth and adult education on sun safety.  For more information, please visit www.melanomanetwork.ca. Charitable Registration number: 854913050RR0001

About NEUTROGENA^®:
A worldwide leader in premium, dermatologist-recommended skin and suncare products, NEUTROGENA^® has been providing consumers with health and beauty improvements for over 60 years in Canada.

About MedX Health Corp.:
MedX Health Corp. is a leading Canadian medical device company focused on making skin cancer screening easily assessable globally. MedX's patented SIAscopy technology provides a dermatologist a Dermascopic view of a suspicious mole or lesion as well as four additional views that are up to 2 mm below the skin's surface. These additional views allow a trained dermatologist to make better assessments from images received from a remote location. MedX believes by having ease of access to their screening technology people will be more inclined to have their suspicious moles or lesions checked. MedX plans to deploy its technology in medical clinics and pharmacies globally to allow skin cancer screening to be as simple as getting a flu shot. MedX is already in over 100 Boots pharmacies in Norway and has completed well over 77,000 scans and detected over 865 deadly melanomas. MedX is working closely with Primacy to deploy this same successful model across Canada.

About Merck Canada:
For over a century, Merck has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, Merck continues be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on YouTube and Twitter @MerckCanada.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co.:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb global operations, visit www.bms.com. Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co. has been delivering innovative medicines for serious diseases to Canadian patients in the areas of cardiovascular health, oncology, neuroscience, immunoscience and virology for over 80 years. Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co. employs over 300 people across the country. For more information, please visit www.bmscanada.ca.

SOURCE Melanoma Network of Canada