In Honour of Kathleen Proctor: The Story Behind DermaEnvy’s Breast Cancer Support Program

At DermaEnvy Skincare, some programs begin with a treatment. Others begin with a person.

Our Breast Cancer Support Program began with Kathleen Proctor.

Created in honour of Kathleen, the grandmother of DermaEnvy’s CEO, this program offers complimentary radiation mark tattoo removal for breast cancer survivors. It was built from a place of gratitude, respect, and deep understanding that healing does not always end when medical treatment is finished.

For many survivors, the marks left behind from radiation treatment are small. But their meaning can be much larger.

They can be reminders of appointments, fear, strength, uncertainty, recovery, and everything it took to keep going. For some, those marks become part of their story. For others, they are something they are ready to release.

This program exists to give survivors that choice.

A Light, Even on the Dullest Days

Kathleen Proctor was the kind of person people remembered for her warmth.

She was always a light, even on the dullest days. When she received her breast cancer diagnosis, she faced it with quiet strength. Her life had already carried its share of grief and disappointment, but she approached cancer as she had approached so many things before it: as another challenge to overcome.

She fought not only for herself, but for more time with the people she loved.

When asked what kept her going, her answer was always the same. She wanted to see each of her grandchildren graduate. She wanted to spend time playing with her great-grandchildren. Her motivation was simple, clear, and deeply human. She wanted more moments with her family.

That was Kathleen.

Strong without needing to announce it. Loving without condition. Practical, grounded, and full of heart.

Strength, Humour, and Knowing What Matters

After undergoing breast surgery to remove her right breast at 89 years old, Kathleen was asked whether she would take a chemotherapy pill to help reduce the risk of recurrence.

She listened as the possible side effects were explained to her. There were many. When she heard that one of them could be losing her sense of taste, she made her decision.

She was having none of that.

When reminded that the cancer could return in six or seven years, Kathleen responded with the clarity and humour of someone who knew exactly what mattered to her.

“You do realize how old I am. If it comes back when I’m 97, that’s okay.”

It was not a statement of giving up. It was a statement of choice.

Kathleen was still making her own decisions, in her own way, at her own age. She understood the value of treatment, but she also understood the value of quality of life. She knew what she was willing to accept, what she wanted to protect, and what mattered most to her.

There is dignity in that kind of clarity.

Why This Program Matters

Breast cancer treatment can leave behind changes that are physical, emotional, and personal. Surgery, radiation, scars, skin changes, and radiation alignment tattoos can all become part of life after treatment.

Radiation marks serve an important medical purpose. They help guide treatment accurately and safely. But once treatment is complete, those small tattoo marks may remain on the skin permanently.

For some survivors, they are symbols of strength. For others, they are daily reminders of a chapter they are ready to move forward from.

There is no right or wrong way to feel about them.

DermaEnvy’s Breast Cancer Support Program was created to offer complimentary radiation mark tattoo removal for survivors who want that option. It is not about erasing what someone has been through. It is about giving them the opportunity to decide what they want to carry forward.

Sometimes healing means remembering. Sometimes it means letting go. Sometimes it means having the choice.

Care Beyond Treatment

At DermaEnvy, we believe care should be personal, respectful, and rooted in the needs of the individual. This program reflects that belief.

Every participant begins with a complimentary consultation in a private, supportive setting. During this visit, a DermaEnvy provider will assess the radiation marks, review the skin, discuss medical history, and explain whether radiation mark tattoo removal is appropriate.

There is no pressure and no obligation.

The consultation is simply a chance to ask questions, understand the process, and decide whether this feels like the right next step. If someone is eligible for the program, approved treatments are provided at no cost through the Breast Cancer Support Program.

Each treatment plan is approached with patience and care. Every person’s healing experience is different, and every decision deserves to be treated with respect.

Inspired by Kathleen’s Legacy

Kathleen Proctor’s story is woven into the heart of this program because she represented so much of what it stands for.

Strength. Choice. Family. Humour. Dignity. Resilience.

She faced breast cancer with courage, but she also lived with perspective. She knew that life was not only about surviving. It was about tasting food, laughing with family, seeing grandchildren grow, and holding onto the moments that made life feel full.

This program is a tribute to that spirit.

It honours Kathleen’s memory while supporting others who have faced breast cancer and are now navigating what comes next. It is a small offering, but we hope it can make a meaningful difference for those who need it.

Moving Forward, On Your Own Terms

Life after breast cancer treatment can look different for everyone. Some people want to talk about what they have been through. Others do not. Some want to keep every visible reminder. Others want to soften or remove them.

All of those choices deserve respect.

DermaEnvy’s Breast Cancer Support Program was created for survivors who wish to remove radiation alignment tattoos and take one more step toward feeling comfortable in their own skin.

In honour of Kathleen Proctor, we are proud to offer this program with compassion, privacy, and care.

If you or someone you love has radiation marks from breast cancer treatment and would like to learn more, we invite you to book a complimentary consultation.

You do not need to know whether you are ready. You do not need to have all the answers.

You can simply start with a conversation.