The incidence and prevention of skin cancers has become a global concern. The World Health Organization reports that prolonged human exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects of the skin, eyes and immune system, including skin cancer. This global epidemic has prompted the first International Conference on UV and Skin Cancer Prevention, jointly sponsored by the WHO, the Danish Cancer Society, TrygFonden and the Cancer Council Victoria.

Did you know that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month?
May has been declared Skin Cancer Awareness Month by the Centers for Disease Control. With more than 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed annually in over two million people in the United States, we need to become SunAWARE.
Here are a few ideas for you to be AWARE of Skin Cancer this month.

The Leathernecks Dragon Boat Team is comprised of former and retired U.S. Marines, whose average age is 66. The slang term “Leatherneck” is used to describe United States Marine Corps members and originated from the leather collar formerly part of the uniform, worn for protection of the neck during sword combat. Many of the team’s members are battling skin cancer in one form or another and spend countless hours training and racing in the sun.

For the third consecutive year, Coolibar is sponsoring a School Sun Hat Contest. Five winners will be selected at random to win hats for their classroom. The contest promotes the SunAWARE acronym to teach simple steps to prevent and detect skin cancers.

Height seeking mountain climbers need to be aware of the dangers of UV at higher altitudes. Paul Ridley of Row for Hope shares his Mountaineering experience with us. “In the thin air climbers encounter above 10,000 feet there is often no hope of protection from clouds, and the thin air and reflective snow makes for dangerous sunburns. While climbing I’ve been sunburned on the roof of my mouth, the underside of my nose, and inside my nostrils.”

Every year over five million people from all over the world visit the Grand Canyon. Less than 1% of those visitors ever reach the bottom. Of those that actually complete the Rim-to-Rim hike, only 8% are women. These statistics didn’t dissuade eight determined women, including The US Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin. “The Grand Canyon Peeke Performers” physically and mentally challenged themselves to complete the rigorous Rim-to-Rim hike as a part of their journey of personal fitness and well-being.

It’s been over a year since Coolibar debuted our innovative Zno SUNTECT® fabric – now one of our best selling SUNTECT materials. Due to its overwhelmingly positive response, our merchandising team has used it to create several new garments. And now, we’re turning to you, our valued customers, to ask what you think about this fabric.

Back to School with Style!

This Pebble Beach, California elementary school wanted to incorporate sun hats to their school uniform. They ordered 250 of the Coolibar Reversible Bucket Hat.

The hats were issued to the entire student body at the start of the school year, with the rule that all students must wear their sun hat while outdoors to protect against the California sun.

Tim Burriss, Melanoma Survivor and founder of the Stay Out of the Sun Foundation passionately promotes awareness of the dangers of sun exposure and melanoma research. He discusses his work with us.

Recently Coolibar was contacted by ABC’s 20/20 about a story on the persecution of those with albinism in Tanzania. Through this connection Coolibar partnered with a non-profit organization called Under the Same Sun, which provides resources to assist those disadvantaged by disability, discrimination and poverty allowing an increased quality of life. Coolibar donated sun protective clothing and hats to two schools in Tanzania, a safe refuge for children with albinism.