In an effort to encourage communities across the country to Be Sun Smart and prevent skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology announced that it has awarded grants for the purchase of shade structures to the Chicago Park District and 37 other organizations. In addition to the shade structures, each location will receive a public education sign that lists the Academy’s Be Sun Smart messages, such as seeking shade, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and wearing protective clothing. Since 2000, the Academy has awarded 211 shade structure grants to organizations across the country. These shade structures provide shade for more than 157,799 individuals each day.
“As a type of cancer that has a known cause—overexposure to ultraviolet radiation—skin cancer is a highly preventable disease,” said dermatologist William D. James, MD, FAAD, president of the Academy. “Protecting yourself by seeking shade, using sunscreens, wearing sun-protective clothing and avoiding intentional exposure to tanning devices or midday sun are simple ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer.”
This year, more than two million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. It is estimated that in 2010 there will be about 114,900 new cases of melanoma (one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer).
Chicago Park District benefits from “Dermatology in Action” service initiative
With its grant, the Chicago Park District installed shade structures in two parks: Lucy Parson’s Park at 4712 W. Belmont, and Park 544 (also known as Sheil Park), located at the corner of Lincoln and Addison. The grant is part of the Academy’s “Dermatology in Action” service initiative that gives back to the cities in which the Academy hosts its scientific meetings. The Summer Academy Meeting 2010 is being held in Chicago, August 4–8.
“The Academy is pleased to award this grant to the Chicago Park District so that those enjoying these parks, particularly children and teens, can find shade,” said Dr. James. “Our young people are extremely vulnerable to the sun’s dangerous rays because of the amount of time they spend outdoors. Academy members generously donated money to fund this grant, so there would be a lasting and useful reminder of our summer scientific meeting.”
Academy celebrates 10th anniversary of its shade structure program
The Academy awarded its 2010 AAD Shade Structure Grants to the following 37 organizations:
- Alabama School of Fine Arts Foundation, Birmingham, Alabama, sponsored by James M. Krell, MD, FAAD
- Atlanta Primary School, Atlanta, Texas, sponsored by Arlis W. Loe, MD, FAAD
- Barley Sheaf School Parent Teacher Organization, Flemington, New Jersey, sponsored by Alissa Fox, MD, FAAD
- Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School, Lakewood, Colorado, sponsored by Darnell L. Martin-Wimmer, MD, FAAD
- Casa de Esperanza, Green Valley, Arizona, sponsored by Linda J. Ilizaliturri, MD, FAAD
- The Children's Aid Society, New York, New York, sponsored by Anne M. Chapas, MD, FAAD
- The Children's Foundation of Children's Home + Aid, Bloomington, Illinois, sponsored by Lucy Wisdom, MD, FAAD
- Children’s Home of Cromwell, CT, Inc., Cromwell, Connecticut, sponsored by Richard J. Antaya, MD, FAAD
- Children's Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana, sponsored by Jeffrey C. Poole, MD, FAAD
- Clayton Child Center, Inc., Richmond Heights, Missouri, sponsored by Caroline M. Mann, MD, FAAD
- Colonial Virgina Council, Boy Scouts of America, Newport News, Virginia, sponsored by Douglas L. Nelson, MD, FAAD
- Crossroad Learning Center, Howell, Michican, sponsored by Eric S. Seiger, DO
- ESU #3 Brook Valley School, Omaha, Nebraska, sponsored by Mary Finnegan, MD, FAAD
- Families For Stevenson/Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary, Burbank, California, sponsored by Jeffrey Ashley, MD, FAAD
- Flagstaff Junior Academy, Flagstaff, Arizona, sponsored by Scott M. Dale, MD, FAAD
- Harbor House of Central Florida, Inc., Orlando, Florida, sponsored by Christopher P. Crotty, MD, FAAD
- HeartWorks Children's Medical Home Mission, Bayboro, North Carolina, sponsored by B. Christopher Mizelle, MD, FAAD
- Hopkins Hill Elementary, Coventry, Rhode Island, sponsored by Anita Pedvis-Leftick, MD, FAAD
- Irving Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona, sponsored by Robert M. Michaud, DO, FAAD
- Johnson Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, Southlake, Texas, sponsored by Angela G. Bowers-Plott, MD, FAAD
- Kingsland Elementary School, Kingsland, Arkansas, sponsored by Don Lum, MD, FAAD
- Kradwell School, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, sponsored by Mark Knabel, MD, FAAD
- Lexington Elementary School, Lexington, South Carolina, sponsored by Jeffrey K. Smith, MD, FAAD
- Long Island Children's Museum, Garden City, New York, sponsored by Daniel Mark Siegel, MD, FAAD
- MacArthur Elementary School of Las Cruces Public Schools, Las Cruces, New Mexico, sponsored by Andrew L. Ondo, MD, FAAD
- Mokapu Elementary School, Kailua, Hawaii, sponsored by G. Todd Bessinger, MD, PhD, FAAD
- Morris Grove Elementary School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, sponsored by Sue Ellen Cox, MD, FAAD
- Orange Crescent School, Garden Grove, California, sponsored by Samireh Z. Said, MD, FAAD
- Palm Beach Gardens Elementary School, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, sponsored by John P. Kinney, MD, FAAD
- Riverview Community School District, Riverview, Michigan, sponsored by Thomas F. Downham II, MD, FAAD
- Rocky River Parks and Recreation Foundation, Rocky River, Ohio, sponsored by Pamela H. Davis, MD, FAAD
- Roosevelt Elementary School, Santa Monica, California, sponsored by Quynh L. Sebastian, MD, FAAD
- Sacramento Children's Home, Sacramento, California, sponsored by Elliot L. Adams, MD, FAAD
- Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, sponsored by M. Yadira Hurley, MD, FAAD
- Saltillo Elementary School, Saltillo, Mississippi, sponsored by Jeffrey C. Houin Jr., MD, FAAD
- Trinity College Community Child Center, Hartford, Connecticut, sponsored by Caron M. Grin, MD, FAAD
- Waverly Child Care and Preschool, Waverly, Iowa, sponsored by Martin G. Sands, MD, FAAD
“The Academy is proud to recognize these 37 organizations which have demonstrated a commitment to sun safety,” said Dr. James. “Combined, these shade structures will be used by more than 32,485 individuals every day. The Academy is proud to work with these organizations to reinforce the importance of protecting the skin when outdoors.”
This is the tenth anniversary of the Academy’s Shade Structure Grant Program. Academy members play an integral role in the program by encouraging local organizations to apply for the grants and by writing letters of support, a requirement for consideration of applications. The program is open to non-profit organizations that serve children and teens under the age of 18 and incorporate sun-safety into their activities for permanent shade structures over outdoor locations which are not protected from the sun, such as playgrounds, pools, eating areas and other locations. The Academy receives support for this program from its members and the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company.