May has been declared Skin Cancer Awareness Month by the Centers for Disease Control. They remind us to increase awareness of the importance of the prevention, early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Each year, approximately 2 million persons in the United States are diagnosed with non melanoma skin cancers. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and a history of sunburn are preventable risk factors. With a little pre-planning it is easy to be sun safe all season long, and we’ve gathered a few ideas to help get you started.
1. Be SunAWARE and Be Safe! Use the easy to remember SunAWARE acronym to help keep in mind all the steps needed for sun safety. Remember it, use it and share it! 
2. Get a Free Skin Cancer Screening at the Road to Healthy Skin Tour. The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour will make its way across the U.S. The mobile Tour kicks off in New York City in May for Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Check the Tour Schedule to see if it’s visiting your community. If you go, say hi to the Tour event managers, Chris and Christie, protected by Coolibar Sunwear.
3. SPOT Orange™ on Melanoma Monday. The American Academy of Dermatology designates the first Monday in May as Melanoma Monday and asks you to SPOT Orange™ to raise awareness of skin cancer. Visit the Academy’s website to find free screenings in your neighborhood.
Coolibar proudly supports the AAD’s SPOT Orange™ Skin Cancer Initiative and you can too. We donate $10 for every Coolibar UPF 50+ SPOT™ Tee sold.
4. Attend a Skin Cancer Prevention Event. Throughout the country there are walks, runs and golf tournaments that all benefit skin cancer prevention efforts. A few of our favorites are MRF’s Miles for Melanoma, MIF Safe from the Sun and the Stay Out of the Sun Run in MN.
5. Celebrate Don’t Fry Day. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention declares the Friday before Memorial Day (May 24, 2013) as “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness. Because no single step can fully protect you and your family from overexposure to UV radiation, follow as many tips as possible.
Do you have other suggestions? Share how you plan to make May and the rest of your summer sun safe. ‘Leave a reply’ below or visit our Facebook page.
2 Comments
Kira =]
We subscribe to a daily UV Index forecast for our area. We love to be outside and play in the sun. But since I am an admin of a local playgroup I use the UV index to spread awareness and educate the other moms about sun safety. Now that I’m a PTO officer, looking to implement your school sun safety program, too!
aoberg
Hi Kira,
This is all great to hear! If you have any questions about the school sun hat program, please don’t hesitate to email me at marketinginquiry@coolibar.com.
Have a sun safe summer.
-Amanda