133 Growing up in Powell River, like most small communities, it wasn’t surprising that the Legion was not only in the centre of town but that it was also the centre of our community. The Legion sold poppies during Remembrance Day and did pancake breakfasts during Sea Fair Days. They sponsored a number of sports teams of which by husband and many others played for. The Powell River Legion was always giving back to the community. Our dad was the pipe major of the Powell River Pipe Band and a legion member. He and his band mates frequently visited the Legion, so it was fitting when he and our mom passed away that we would have their celebration of life ceremonies at that Legion. I never would have imagined how my younger years growing up with the Legion would circle back into my life in my darkest days. Fast forward 20 years, and I was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma and would be given 3 – 6 months to live. Friends and Family rallied around me. I had 4 surgeries, 4 treatments and in 2007, I was free of cancer. Our family knew how lucky we had been and wanted to play it forward so we created a not-for-profit called Save Your Skin Foundation. Our mission was to help others that were in a similar situation and to get patients the support they needed, but we needed to raise funds to get started. It was during this time that the Legion came back into our lives. The North Vancouver Legion offered to do a fundraiser for our organization and it was a huge success. We raised closed to $15,000 dollars but it didn’t stop there. We got to take part in meat draws throughout the year and hold yet another fundraiser the next year. Save Your Skin Foundation has grown across the globe and has helped hundreds of patients with their melanoma journey. We could never have done it without the support of the Legion. We as a family will be forever grateful and cannot understate what the Legion has done for melanoma patients not only in BC, but across the country. “Together We Can Make A Difference” Thank You to the Legion, for your generous support. - Kathleen Barnard, Melanoma Survivor and Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation
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