Monday, 23 December 2024

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2024. The pohutukawa is in bloom for Christmas 🙏❤️






As the turn of the year festival fast approaches, it is good to look back and think forward. What a splendid year it has been. I hope it has been kind to you too.


Highlights for me included a warm start to the year in New Zealand, with a week of international tennis in Auckland and another brilliant week of exploration in Queenstown, NZ’s adventure capital, followed by a visit to Tahiti. Summer brought memorable family time with my oldest sibling visiting Canada and spending time with my family. In late summer I enjoyed a week in Montreal, a week in Northern Ontario with my youngest sibling, a few days in Ottawa, our elegant capital, and an exploration of Algonquin Park with fall foliage at its most brilliant. In October, my hiking friends and I enjoyed Sedona and the Grand Canyon. As the year draws to a close, I have spent a week in Hawaii, celebrating a milestone birthday with my oldest sibling and as I write, I am enjoying warm summer days in New Zealand again. I am very grateful to be feeling well and able to enjoy so many amazing adventures.


This year has brought change too. I retired from strata council in June and no longer concern myself with day to day running of the corporation. I have also withdrawn from day to day involvement with Ocumel Canada although I continue to care deeply about Canadian OM patients. New people are stepping up and contributing so the invaluable work continues. It was time for me to have more time as it takes longer to do things! I now devote myself to recreation and wellness. Life is good🙏 and I am very grateful for it. 


Hoping you and yours are prospering in this ever more challenging world we have created. Peace and love, Nigel





Thursday, 12 September 2024

That time of year!

 Dear friends, each year, when Move For Melanoma comes around (September 27 to 29 this year) I participate in fundraising to help Canadian OM patients get to treatment. The picture is much brighter now than it has ever been as there is an approved and widely available treatment for metastatic disease and several promising clinical trials. Right now, we are helping ten OM patients to participate in clinical trails in Canada.


I have stepped back from my leadership role in Ocumel Canada but I still feel strongly about supporting fellow patients. When you are dealing with a frightening cancer diagnosis, you need friends to lean on. If you are able to help this year, please check out my page:


https://saveyourskin.akaraisin.com/ui/2024moveformelanoma/p/6c815032df3240c1844670d4d9df8574



Thank you for the financial and moral support.  Peace and love, Nigel