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Skin Cancer Doesn’t Always Look Scary. But It Can Kill.

Every year, more than 11,000 people in Ireland are diagnosed with skin cancer, that’s over 30 people a day.

Siobhán's Story

Siobhán is smart, outgoing, and full of life. You’d never guess from looking at her that she’s been through a serious health scare—until you notice the scar on her arm. Nowadays, she’s rarely seen outdoors without a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. She’s passionate about sun safety and never leaves home without sunscreen.

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Siobhán was just 20 when she first noticed what she thought was a smudge of chocolate on her arm. When she tried to wipe it away, it didn’t budge. She soon realised it was a new mole. At first, she was puzzled—she had freckles and moles before, but this one looked darker and different. Still, she didn’t think much of it. She’d never heard much about melanoma or skin cancer and didn’t think something like this could be serious.
 
Over a year later, while living abroad in Canada, her mum spotted the mole during a Skype call. It had started to grow and change shape. Concerned, her mum gently encouraged her to get it checked. Siobhán kept brushing it off—until her mum’s persistence finally paid off. Siobhán Googled her symptoms and realised it could be something serious. She booked a GP appointment the next day.

Her GP referred her to a consultant dermatologist who decided to remove the mole just to be safe.
When the test results came back, it was confirmed: Siobhán had melanoma—the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Thankfully, the cancer was caught early. Siobhán underwent a wide local excision to remove the mole and surrounding tissue, and also had a lymph node biopsy to ensure the cancer hadn’t spread.
 
She was incredibly fortunate. The melanoma hadn’t advanced, and no further treatment was needed.
 
Now, Siobhán is committed to sharing her story so others can recognise the signs early too. As she says:
 
“Thankfully, my story had a happy ending. My doctor said, had I left it another six months, I could be telling a very different story. I caught it early and I survived.”

Siobhán now shares her story to raise awareness and help others realise that even young people — especially those with freckles or fair skin — are at risk. Her message is simple but powerful: check your skin. And don’t ignore that inner voice telling you something’s changed.
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Could help give free cancer awareness and early detection support in communities just like yours across Ireland — so more lives can be saved, and fewer families have to fear cancer.
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You Can Help Save a Life – Just Like Siobhán’s

All our services are only possible with the generosity of the Irish public, so please consider making a gift today.

We are committed to being there for people diagnosed with cancer, and their families at every step of the cancer journey.

Help create a future free from the fear of cancer.

Your support keeps our nurses in the communities across Ireland

Handle calls to our Ask the Nurse service

Provide cancer awareness sessions to students across Irish schools

Support survivors through Survive & Thrive, and offer a safe space through Positive Living

Deliver free potentially life-saving conversations through our mobile information units

Could you help us reach 400 people impacted or facing a cancer diagosis this year?

€1,566 raised

€3,000 Goal

€1,566 raised

€3,000 Goal

Your donation makes a difference

Despite being one of the most preventable forms of cancer, skin cancer diagnoses continues to rise in Ireland. With your support, the Marie Keating Foundation can bring sun safety education to schools, workplaces, and communities across the country — helping people understand the risks, spot the signs early, and save lives.

Every day matters. Every donation helps. Help us reach more people before it’s too late.

Consider leaving a gift in your will to support our work for generations to come. 

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