About

Who we are

Ocumel Canada (OC), a national patient-led not-for-profit initiative powered by Save Your Skin Foundation. It was formed to increase awareness, advance treatment options, and build a supportive community for those diagnosed with primary and/or metastatic ocular melanoma (OM). Ocumel Canada works in close collaboration with a global Medical Advisory Board and partner patient representation organizations, with the goal of building on international best practices to improve patient outcomes for Canadians affected by this disease.

This rare cancer presents many challenges. The small number of diagnoses in Canada makes it difficult for mainstream cancer agencies to provide adequate services, and in some provinces and territories there are currently no services at all.

Our vision

We envision a future when ocular melanoma will be a treatable and manageable disease and where patients in Canada can easily find support and courage after diagnosis. Mandate: To propel ocular melanoma into a treatable realm through relentless advocacy, pioneering research, and unwavering support, ensuring that all diagnosed individuals in Canada find resilience and camaraderie in their journey.

Together, we can make a difference.

An ocular melanoma diagnosis often brings unexpected costs, travel to specialized centres, accommodation, time away from work, and treatment-related expenses. Because this cancer is rare, many Canadians must leave their home province to access expert care.

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Our objectives & values

Belief in Science: Enhance access to Canadian clinical trials by enabling enrollment in all four treatment centers. Objective: Ocumel Canada's commitment to science is evident in its effort to broaden access to clinical trials across all four treatment centers. By facilitating enrollment, the organization emphasizes the importance of research collaboration and evidence-based treatments, ensuring that innovative therapies reach ocular melanoma patients nationwide.

Devotion to Improving Ocular Melanoma Patient Outcomes: Advocate for the establishment of a treatment center in the Atlantic provinces. Objective: Ocumel Canada's dedication to enhancing ocular melanoma patient outcomes is exemplified by advocating for the establishment of a treatment center in the Atlantic provinces. This initiative reflects the organization's commitment to providing accessible, specialized care, and improving the lives of patients affected by this condition.

Compassion for Patients and Caregivers: Push for nationwide support, including travel and accommodation expenses, for out-of-province travel (considering patients often have no other option).

Champion the cause for universal coverage of paid prognostic testing for OM patients. To fervently champion the universal coverage of paid prognostic testing for ocular melanoma patients, advocating for equitable access to this critical diagnostic tool and ensuring that every individual affected by ocular melanoma can benefit from comprehensive and timely prognostic information.