Yorkshire sun safety firm Tancream funds our dermatoscope programme

 

Two sun-aware Yorkshire business women have joined forces with us to help in the battle against skin cancer.

Gillian Robson and Katy Foxcroft, of Easingwold, founded their business Tancream after Gillian almost lost her life to melanoma.

Their unique product, developed with leading skin scientist Dr Jack Ferguson and cosmetic chemist Jo Warren, is an all-in-one cream offering SPF50, five-star UVA protection, a gradual self-tan plus a bronzer, giving people the chance to have a safe and healthy tan.

Tancream’s commitment to sun safety brought the company to our charity as we help improve local skin cancer services with funding for high-tech cameras known as dermatoscopes.

The cameras are being used by GPs in the Vale of York to take specialised pictures of suspicious skin conditions and send electronic images to local dermatologists for a swift diagnosis.

The system is already saving lives and bringing down waiting times for skin cancer referrals, and now  Gillian and Katy are funding two dermatoscopes to boost the pioneering service.

They are also considering a longer-term funding programme that could help see the technology introduced more widely in the UK.

Gillian said when her cancer was successfully treated by her specialist Dr Hadi Abushaira, it had been caught just in time. “It was so aggressive that if it had been left any longer – days, not weeks - it would have spread.”

So she said that what really appealed about the new system to Katy and to herself was the way it could speed up diagnosis and treatment. “We feel this just speaks to us,” agreed Katy. “It is a perfect fit.”

Julie Russell, our general manager, said Gillian and Katy were making a real difference with their donation. “This is a proven system and with their gift they are making it possible for more people to have the speedy screening that could save their lives.”

Tancream launched in May at Browns of York and now has a growing list of stockists. Please see www.tancream.co.uk for more information.