MelanOpen History

2010 started off with some tough news for the Simpson family. My Pops, the legendary David Simpson, was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma and has been fighting the big 'C' ever since. For all of you who have met him, he’s a tough sob, and continues to fight the fight each and every day.


For Him and for all the other people fighting this terrible disease, I launched the MelanOpen in 2010 - a way for me, along with the support of family and friends, to host fundraising events that help raise awareness and money for Melanoma and Melanoma Research at SunnybrookHospital (where dad is currently being treated). 

We kicked off the MelanOpen with our very first MelanOpen Charity Golf Tournament in October, 2010, held at Maples of Ballantrae Golf Club. With more than 50 golfers and the support of over 100 donations, we managed to raise just over $13,000 for Melanoma research at the Sunnybrook 'Odette Cancer Centre'.


Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer and there are more than 48,000 melanoma related deaths that occur worldwide each year. The disease, if caught early is very treatable. But once it has spread, there is only a 5-15% chance of treatment having any effect. Translation, the odds are not good. The money that we raise through all of our fundraising efforts will go directly to research new treatment methods with the hopes that in our life time, or at least our children’s, a cure for this terrible disease can be found.



The MelanOpen team returns in 2011 to take part in the Canadian Cancer Society's "Relay For Life" event. Our team continues to be dedicated to raising money and awareness in the fight against Cancer. We hope you are too! 


Sincerely,
Susan Simpson