SALTWATERCURE FUND
The Saltwatercure Fund raises money for Nova Scotians, in treatment and recovery from breast cancer through the sales of Saltwatercure merchandise, events and donations. These funds offer some relief from the financial struggles associated with the cost of treatment, side effects and life, so they may focus on healing. Profits and donations go to bi-annual recipients.
The Saltwatercure Fund is not a registered charity and does not issue tax receipts. This fund was created to offer direct assistance to individuals in need, without all the red tape and administrative costs.
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
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.
To support this lovely human in her healing journey you can donate, attend Upcoming SWC Events or purchase Saltwatercure swag from the Saltwater Store
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 will go 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.
$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
October 2016 I was diagnosis of breast cancer (Ductal Carcinoma Insitu (DCIS) PR- / ER+ / HER2+) in my right breast. I had a unilateral mastectomy, 4 rounds of chemotherapy, 28 days of radiation and Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. I completed my treatment January 2018. During all of these treatments I was lucky enough to have a great support network as well as an amazing team of specialists to help me move through and recover from most of the side effects of these treatments. I also had a healthcare plan through my union that gave me access to all of these practitioners and financial assistance which allowed me to focus on healing.
A few months after reaching my three year post treatment landmark, I felt ready to contribute and re-enter the community. I wanted to create a fund to support individuals in Nova Scotia with breast cancer. During my year of treatment, I witnessed how the costs associated with cancer could be a burden. In addition to the crushing costs of the actual treatment, there are so many expenses associated with healing from the effects. For example, osteopath, physiotherapy to deal with surgery and scarring, naturopath, supplements, nutrition to combat the effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation. All of these are necessary to return to health, resume everyday activities and help prevent re-occurrence.
My connection to the ocean was an integral part of my healing process and it was important to me apply this inspiration to whatever was created. I decided to start small and four months later, the “Mastectomy Mermaid” sticker was designed and the Saltwatercure Fund began.
The fund has grown over the past four years and I am grateful for the financial support that it has be able to offer to these incredible women.
HISTORY
The Saltwatercure Fund was established in October 2021 by Nicole Close to raises awareness about breast cancer and to raise money for individuals with from breast cancer in Nova Scotia, Canada. “Mastectomy Mermaid” was the first sticker designed by SurfshineART for the Saltwatercure Fund and in March 2022 they created two new sticker designs (Sunset & Transparent Saltwatercure). The stickers were sold at The Tare Shop, Rose & Rooster Cafe , Lawrencetown Surf Co., Rosa Rogusa & Calling Corners
In October that same year, 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,
October 2023, NEW Saltwatercure Merchandise with this new logo launched Wildfreecreative designed this NEW Wave logo for the Saltwatercure Fund using the shapes of helping hands to create the wave.
October 2024 Nicole Close, was honoured with the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) Impact Award in recognition of outstanding service and leadership to the production community at large for 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).