It is a long time since I put pen to paper. I was having the time of my life and a global pandemic swept in! Although I have been alive for a long time, I have not seen a global pandemic before. How extraordinary that a tiny virus can sweep all around the world like lightning, penetrate the remotest of places and bring everyday life to a halt. As we watch it play out, we can see the shift as the virus, which emerged in prosperous societies, moves into disadvantaged groups who do not have the protection of sophisticated medical systems and adequate social protection. A virus has no consciousness and cannot be kind, but we can. I spend most of my time now figuring out what it means to be kind in this new world. It is not so easy.
One way that I have been able to continue to be kind is to keep working at building support for people who, out of the blue, get diagnosed with ocular melanoma. I continue to be extraordinarily well and strong, but that is not the normal journey. Ocumel Canada, from modest beginnings in January 2019, has gone from strength to strength. We now have a private Facebook group of more than 70 Canadian patients. My original dream was that I could find maybe 10 people! Every week we attract new members, mostly through word of mouth. We are about to publish the first report ever on ocular melanoma services across Canada. We are just starting to organize a global symposium on ocular melanoma that will bring experts and patients from all corners of the world together. For me, that is what kindness looks like at the moment.
If you would like to lend a hand, I am starting an annual fundraising campaign so that we can continue and expand our advocacy. All contributions go the helping patients. There are no overheads. My time and creativity are free!
Sending peace and love to all, Nigel
https://saveyourskin.akaraisin.com/ui/moveformelanoma2020/participant/5218425?Lang=en-CA
