‘Don’t be ashamed of the scar,’ cancer survivor says (9 photos)

“Don’t be ashamed of the scar. You’re stronger than what caused it.”

That from Kinneret Margovski, a cancer survivor who delivered a brief motivational speech to fellow cancer survivors before the start of the local version of the annual Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life held at Korah Collegiate between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday evening.  

Margovski, a Delta Hotel employee who recently moved to the Sault from Winnipeg, has a scar on her right ankle after surviving melanoma (skin cancer).

“I was diagnosed with melanoma almost seven years ago, in July 2012,” Margovski said, speaking to SooToday.

“I had surgery, they removed the tumour and I had to have  a skin graft, they checked the lymph nodes and everything was clear so I’ve been cancer-free for seven years. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer because it’s the only skin cancer that can actually spread to other parts of the body,” Margovski said.

“Even though I protected myself, sometimes you miss a spot. People like myself with red hair and fair skin have the highest probability of skin cancer.”

“I was shocked. I had a biopsy nine years ago and my doctor found something and removed it but it came back two years later in the same spot. I was lucky. If you catch it early, all you need is surgery (without chemotherapy or radiation). Thank goodness it hadn’t spread. I was one of the fortunate ones. I get checked every year and check myself regularly,” Margovski said.

“It (the relay) recognizes survivors, those who have gone through cancer treatment and celebrates them. It brings awareness to the community about the Canadian Cancer Society and what they do. It’s actually a really fun time to get together with people, to celebrate, to remember those who have lost the battle with cancer. It’s touching, it’s heartbreaking but it’s also a happy time to celebrate as well.”

Survivors at the event wore yellow T-shirts as they walked around the track at Korah.

Alyssa Garofalo Lake, Canadian Cancer Society Algoma Community Office fundraising specialist, said approximately 125 people, including 55 cancer survivors, had already registered for the relay with more registering before the event began at 7 p.m.

Individuals and teams had raised funds through collecting pledges to help reach the Canadian Cancer Society Algoma Community Office’s 2019 fundraising goal of $50,000, Garofalo Lake hopeful of reaching or exceeding last year’s relay total of $55,000.

Funds raised go to cancer research nationwide, including 14 ongoing clinical trials taking place locally.

“It’s good to have that money coming back to Sault Ste. Marie...we see percentages of cancer survival increasing,” Garofalo Lake said.