Summer Sun Safety

The Children's Melanoma Prevention Foundation (CMPF) kicked off Memorial Day weekend with an on-air visit to NBC10-Boston to talk about effective Summer sun safety, the dangers of unprotected exposure to the sun, the significance of a broad spectrum sunscreen, proper sunscreen application and more.

The Foundation worked closely with The State House and Governor Baker to proclaim Friday, May 25, as “Don't Fry Day” -- a day to inform and raise awareness about sun safety among Massachusetts residents. (“Don’t Fry Day” is a Memorial Day initiative begun by The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.)

Shown above (left to right): NBC10-Boston Meteorologist Michael Page, CMPF Educator Maura Flynn, CMPF Executive Director Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, and news anchors Jeff Sapperstein and Susan Tran.

During the segment, Maura and Maryellen examined Jeff and Susan's skin under a UV Camera System to assess damage invisible to the naked eye. They also detailed proper sunscreen application for optimum protection.

To view the segment, click https://www.nbcboston.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Staying-Protected-in-the-Summer-Sun_NECN-483808001.html

The Children's Melanoma Prevention Foundation, based in Norwell, has spent the past 15 years passionately delivering its SunAWARE for Life Program, free of charge, to more than 1,000,000 children and adults, both locally and nationally, in schools, sports centers, health clubs and through a multitude of community events. The Foundation's mission is to make a difference by “preventing skin cancer, one child at a time through education and advocacy.”

The kid-friendly, interactive program is based upon the SunAWARE acronym detailing five easy action steps for primary and secondary prevention.

SunAWARE

Avoid unprotected exposure to sunlight, seek shade, and never indoor tan.

Wear sun protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses year-round.

Apply recommended amounts of broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sunburn protection factor (SPF) ≥ 30 to all exposed skin and reapply every two hours, or as needed.

Routinely examine your whole body for changes in your skin and report suspicious changes to a parent or healthcare provider.

Educate your family and community about the need to be SunAWARE.

For information on the Foundation's ongoing work, visit www.melanomaprevention.org.

Photo: R. J. Donovan