Episode Summary

When Kathleen “Kathy” Barnard noticed two small spots on her arm, she had no idea they would lead to a diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma—and a prognosis of just three to six months.

In this episode of Amplify, Kathy shares the extraordinary story of how persistence, family advocacy, compassionate-access treatment, and emerging immuno-oncology gave her another chance at life. She also speaks candidly about the gaps she encountered throughout her journey, from an initially dismissed concern and missing medical records to financial barriers and unequal access to treatment.

Those experiences became the foundation for the Save Your Skin Foundation, a patient-led organization that has spent 20 years supporting people affected by melanoma and other skin cancers while advocating for prevention, research, clinical trials, innovative treatments, and more equitable cancer care across Canada.

Kathy’s story is a powerful reminder that lived experience can expose weaknesses in healthcare—and become a driving force for meaningful change.

Episode Highlights

• Episode Highlights
  • 00:33 — Why melanoma deserves greater attention
  • 02:44 — The early signs that started Kathy’s journey
  • 04:44 — Receiving a metastatic malignant melanoma diagnosis
  • 08:04 — How healthcare gaps revealed the need for patient advocacy
  • 09:30 — Treatment, difficult side effects, and the team that inspired her
  • 11:21 — Learning the cancer had spread and facing a three-to-six-month prognosis
  • 12:19 — How Kathy’s son helped find another treatment option
  • 14:13 — The remarkable response to an innovative treatment
  • 17:02 — Kathy’s advice for patients and families facing cancer
  • 19:50 — The beginnings of the Save Your Skin Foundation
  • 20:48 — Immuno-oncology and the fight for treatment access
  • 23:39 — How patients can become advocates for themselves and others
  • 26:58 — Prevention, collaboration, and the All.Can initiative
  • 33:29 — Why cancer research and treatment access must be equitable across Canada
  • 36:19 — Life beyond cancer: pickleball, travel, and connecting with patients

Links and Resources

• Save Your Skin Foundation — Patient support, education, prevention, advocacy, and resources for melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, and ocular melanoma
• All.Can International — A global initiative working toward sustainable, efficient, and patient-centred cancer care
• Melanoma Canada — Information and support services for people affected by melanoma and skin cancer
• Canadian Cancer Society: Melanoma — Information about melanoma, risk factors, signs, diagnosis, and treatment
• Government of Canada: Skin Cancer — Skin cancer information and prevention guidance

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Amplify are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, Patient Voice Partners, or its affiliates.

Medical Disclaimer: The content shared on Amplify is for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing discussed on this podcast—including stories, experiences, perspectives, or commentary from hosts, guests, or contributors—should be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.

Always seek the guidance of your physician or other licensed provider with any questions regarding your health, medical conditions, or treatment options.