Helping make it safer to have fun in the sun

Newswise — With warm, sunny weather outside, no one wants to find themselves cooped up indoors, especially children. But heading outdoors without adequate sun protection can lead to a sunburn that lingers long after the outdoor fun has ended. Sunburns are known to have a cumulative effect and can lead to future skin cancers including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. To help make it safer to have fun outdoors, the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) is offering shade structure grants for schools, park districts, religious institutions or other non-profit organizations in need of shade for outdoor locations. Applications for the grants are available today.

“Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Unfortunately, there was almost a 10 percent increase in new cases of melanoma within the past year,” said dermatologist Stephen P. Stone, M.D., president of the American Academy of Dermatology. “Dermatologists are seeing younger and younger people with skin cancer, making it more important than ever to protect young people from the dangerous rays of the sun.”

The Academy has partnered with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Companies to significantly increase the number of shade structure grants that will be awarded. This year, 40 shade structures will be installed in locations across the country; 20 grants have already been awarded to the highest-scoring
applications from organizations participating in last year’s grant program (see attached list) and 20 additional grants will be available through the application process beginning today.

Shade structures can be installed in any outdoor location where children and adults gather and are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun, such as playgrounds, pools, bleachers, and eating or recreation areas. In order to be considered, organizations must complete an application which demonstrates a commitment to sun safety and is accompanied by a letter of support from an Academy member.

Applications are available on the Academy’s Web site, http://www.aad.org. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 16, and winners will be announced in early September.

This year’s first 20 grant recipients, who were awarded to the highest-scoring applications from organizations participating in last year’s grant program, are:
• Ada Merritt Elementary School, Miami, Fla.
• Boys & Girls Club, Ernest Ingold Clubhouse, San Francisco, Calif.
• Carolina International School, Harrisburg, NC
• Creighton Elementary School District #14 – Monte Vista School, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Cullowhee Valley School PTA, Cullowhee, NC
• Echo Mountain Primary School, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Glenwood Elementary School, San Rafael, Calif.
• Gloucester City School District, Gloucester, NJ
• Hamilton Middle School, Houston, Texas
• Mount Sacred Heart School, San Antonio, Texas
• Northside Elementary School, Elko, Nev.
• Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory, Phoenix, Ariz.
• PTA California Congress of Parents, Deerfield School, Irvine, Calif.
• Pensacola Beach Elementary School, Pensacola Beach, Fla.
• Pleasant Hill Elementary, Olive Branch, Miss.
• Selma F. Bartlett Elementary School PTO, Henderson, Nev.
• St. John Vianney Catholic School, Goodyear, Ariz.
• St. John’s Episcopal School Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
• Woodlanders are Volunteers for Education (W.A.V.E.), Glendale, Calif.
• Xavier College Preparatory, Phoenix, Ariz.

The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 15,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or http://www.aad.org.