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“Throughout the year Provectus staff will be taking part in fundraising challenges with all donations going towards The Clatterbridge Cancer  Charity. 

Unfortunately, our colleague Chris Woods lost his sister Claire to  melanoma on Boxing Day 2021 at the age of 35. Claire showed  incredible strength and was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was cared for by the amazing staff at  Clatterbridge Liverpool Hospital where she spent her final days. Clatterbridge Liverpool is 1 of 3 specialist cancer centres, with  the others at Wirral and Aintree where Claire also received care. 

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread rapidly to other organs of the body. Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. Around 16,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year. More than 1 in 4 skin cancer cases are diagnosed in people  under 50, which is unusually early compared with most other types of cancer. Over recent years, skin cancer has become much more common in the UK. This is thought to be the result of increased exposure to intense sunlight while on holiday abroad. More than 2,300 people die every year in the UK from melanoma. 

By raising money, we would like to support the expert staff at the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity so they can continue to provide the high-quality care to patients diagnosed with cancer. We also hope the money can support research and development of new drugs, therapies, and trials. Clinical cancer trials are cancer research studies that involve people. Their main purpose is to find a better way to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer. These are happening now and is hopefully something that can save lives in the future. 

Chris, his family and Provectus would also like to generate more awareness about this type of cancer. If anyone has a mole that has changed, or a new mole then please see your GP and get it checked. Insist on a biopsy if you are concerned. Melanoma is not always preventable, although you can reduce the risk by protecting yourself from the sun, avoiding sunbeds, and regularly checking your skin which can lead to early diagnosis. 

Provectus will be be donating of all the funds raised to the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity in Claire’s memory.