SALTWATERCURE FUND
The Saltwatercure Fund raises money for Nova Scotians going through treatment for, or recovering from, breast cancer through the sale of Saltwatercure merchandise, fundraising events, and donations. The funds help ease the financial strain that can come with treatment, side effects, and everyday living expenses, allowing recipients to focus on healing. Profits and donations are distributed to recipients over the course of their six-month support period.
The Saltwatercure Fund is not a registered charity and does not issue tax receipts. It was created to provide direct financial support to individuals in need, without the administrative costs and red tape often associated with larger organizations.
Visit the Saltwater Store to make a donation or to purchase your Saltwatercure swag.
*Go to Upcoming SWC Events for more details about future events
SWC RECIPIENTS
MARLA GUIBEAULT-HARRIS January 2026 – June 2026
Marla was born on the west coast of Canada but now resides in Halifax, NS. She has two amazing granddaughters (7yrs & 9 mos) who live in Ontario. Her favourite thing to do is go on motorcycle adventures around the Maritimes with the love of her life, Dennis. Marla is determined, authentic, full of joy and wicked funny.
Marla was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in March 2025 and began treatment in May with surgery followed by chemotherapy that ended in September. Her treatment and recovery are complicated by her pre-existing condition of Lupus. She is currently navigating her way through the side effects of her treatment / Lupus and is focusing on healing.
To support Marla visit the Saltwater Store to make a donation, attend Upcoming SWC Events or purchase Saltwatercure swag.
JESSICA QUINN July 2025- December 2025
Jessica is a single Mom who lives in Dartmouth, NS with her daughter, Ella and their many family pets. In the summer of 2024, Jess found a lump in her left breast. She was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, breast cancer and had a mastectomy in September. Jess also learned that she has LFS (Li-Fraumeni Syndrome), a rare inherited gene disorder that increases the risk of developing various cancers. In July 2025, Jess underwent a second mastectomy. She is currently healing from this recent surgery with more treatment on the horizon.
Ella says my mom’s super power is LOVE. And that this super power allows her to deal with whatever life brings. Jess treasures her time with her daughter. These two mermaids, love being near the ocean; sharing saltwater adventures, swimming and playing at the beach.
$4260.00 was raised for Jessica through your donations, SWC swag sales, Hoodie Draw & Watercolour Art Events. Thank you for supporting this lovely human & the Saltwatercure Fund.
EVE LINDGREN Jan 2025 – June 2025
Eve lives in the community of Hubley, is a mother of three, has a precious 3 yr old granddaughter, and has a loving partner of 8 yrs. Eve has worked as a visiting nurse for VON for 20 years. While her family is always the focus of her world, she also loves to garden, watercolour paint and read. She is vibrant, reflective, compassionate, hopeful, funny, open and honest.
Eve was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer 2018, and then stage 3 breast cancer March 2024. Her role as a caregiver has been a lifetime role and one that she is proud of and has excelled at for years. Now as she continues to navigate her way through treatment, she is learning to ask for help, letting others do for her, while redefining what self care means to her and setting boundaries around her own health.
$4605.00 was raised for Eve through your donations, SWC swag sales, Raffle & Watercolour Art Event. Thank you for supporting this special human and the Saltwatercure Fund.
***Due to family commitments outside of Nova Scotia, there was no recipient for August – December 31st period as I was not be able to actively fund raise while away. All money raised during this time went to Eve Lindgren Jan 2025 – June 2025 recipients funds.
AMBER MOON GRAVELINE February – July 31st 2024
Amber, grew up in Halifax, NS and still resides here today. She is a recent graduate of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute in Nelson, BC and was enrolled at the Dalhousie School of Social Work for the fall of 2023 until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2023. At just 36, she is now facing cancer for the third time. Amber was first diagnosed with bone cancer at age 24. The bone cancer returned in 2018, resulting in the amputation of her right leg.
Amber is a tenacious, thoughtful and creative mermaid that finds freedom and inspiration in the water since navigating life on land is hard with one leg. She uses art, tarot & astrology to explore and support her own and others’ healing journeys.
$6163.95 was raised for Amber through your donations, SWC swag sales, on set 50-50 draw/set sale & a Raffle held in June/July. Thank you for supporting this amazing human and the Saltwatercure Fund.
SARAH HAYDON ROY August 2023 – January 31st 2024
Sarah, lives in Halifax, NS and works locally as a Costume Designer in the Film Industry. She is gentle, selfless and radiant. Her super power is her ability to truly listen and be there for her friends, family and co-workers. She make you feel like you are the only person in the room.
Sarah was diagnosed in October 2023 with breast cancer. She is currently focusing on healing since completing her treatment and navigating her way back into the work life balance.
$8352.82 was raised for Sarah through your donations, SWC swag sales, on set 50-50 draws & the Clothing Swap event held in October. Thank you for supporting this beautiful human and the Saltwatercure Fund.
BECKY February – July 31st 2023
Becky is a musician and writer living in Halifax, NS, Canada. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and has since been working through re-occurrences and treatments; most recently November 2022 this March/May.
$3020 was raised for Becky through your donations, merchandise sales and our special June Musical Event. Thank you for supporting Becky and the Saltwatercure Fund.
VICTORIA GERMAIN July 2022- January 31st 2023
Ocean loving, mother of two, Victoria Germain works in the freelance world of the Film Industry here in Nova Scotia. In addition to the sales of the Saltwatercure stickers, an October SWC Merchandise launch event & raffle were held. Her film family also stepped up in a big way through donations, on set sales & 50/50 draws on Moonshine (TV Series) & Hailey Rose (Feature Film).
Victoria continues to heal as she navigates her way through reconstruction process. $4357.69 was raised for Victoria. Thank you for supporting to Victoria and the Saltwatercure Fund.
AMBER SPURRELL October 2021- June 30th 2022
Amber was the first recipient of the Saltwatercure Fund. She is a fellow mermaid, surfer and teacher who lives in Dartmouth, NS with her rescue pup Crush. Amber completed her treatments in November 2022 and is thriving. “In hope, I am fearless”
$1438.40 was raised for Amber through sticker sales from October 2021 – June 2022 . Thank you for supporting Amber and the Saltwatercure Fund.
See article below featuring Amber and the Saltwatercure Fund.
FUTURE
If you know of someone that is currently in treatment or recovery from breast cancer in Nova Scotia, that would benefit from the support of the Saltwatercure Fund, please email Nicole at journeyofamermaid902@gmail.com
Please note that there is no obligation to participate in the promotion or sales of the Saltwatercure merchandise in person or on social media. The Saltwatercure Fund respects that everyone’s journey is unique and recipients can choose to be involved in however it serves them best.
Check out our Past SWC Events section and learn a bit more about how we fund raise.
JOURNEY OF A MERMAID
In October 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer—Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), PR-negative, ER-positive, HER2-positive—in my right breast. My treatment included a unilateral mastectomy, four rounds of chemotherapy, 28 days of radiation, and Herceptin every three weeks for one year. I completed treatment in January 2018.
Throughout this process, I was fortunate to have a strong support network and an exceptional team of medical specialists who helped me manage and recover from many of the side effects of treatment. I also had access to a healthcare plan through my union, which provided coverage for these practitioners and offered financial assistance. This support allowed me to focus fully on healing.
A few months after reaching my three-year post-treatment milestone, I felt ready to give back and re-enter the community. I wanted to create a fund to support individuals in Nova Scotia living with breast cancer. During my own year of treatment, I saw firsthand how the costs of healing extend far beyond medical care—expenses like physiotherapy, osteopathy, nutrition, supplements, and other supports that are essential to recovery, returning to daily life, and reducing the risk of recurrence.
My connection to the ocean was a vital part of my healing, and I wanted that inspiration reflected in what I created. Four months later, the Mastectomy Mermaid sticker was born, marking the beginning of the Saltwatercure Fund. Since 2021, the fund has continued to grow, and I’m grateful for the support it has been able to provide to these incredible women.
HISTORY
The Saltwatercure Fund was established in October 2021 by Nicole Close to raise awareness about breast cancer and to provide financial support to individuals living with breast cancer in Nova Scotia, Canada. Mastectomy Mermaid was the first sticker designed by SurfshineART in support of the fund. In March 2022, two additional designs—Sunset and Transparent Saltwatercure—were created. Before the launch of the Saltwater Store, these stickers were sold at The Tare Shop, Rose & Rooster Cafe, Lawrencetown Surf Co., Rosa Rogusa, and Calling Corners.
In October 2022, the SWC Collection was launched at Saltwatercure 2022, a fundraising event and screening of Projections. The t-shirts, hoodies, and totes were designed by SurfshineART and WILD/FREE Creative, and locally screen-printed by Fog Bank Merch Co.
In October 2023, new Saltwatercure merchandise featuring a fresh logo was launched. WILD/FREE Creative designed the new Wave logo for the fund, using the shapes of helping hands to form the wave, symbolizing support and community.
In October 2024, Nicole Close was honoured with the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) Impact Award, recognizing her outstanding service and leadership in the production community through her work with the Saltwatercure Fund.
Visit the Saltwater Store to make a donation, attend an event or purchase Saltwatercure swag
(Stickers, Totes, White Tees, Black Tees, Navy Tees & Blue Tanks & Blk Hoodies).