New York City Parks receive AAD shade structure grants to prevent skin cancer

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)Aug 5 2011

In an effort to encourage communities across the country to protect themselves from the sun and prevent skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) today announced that it has awarded grants for the purchase of shade structures to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and 33 other organizations. In addition to the shade structures, each location will receive signage to educate their community about how to protect themselves from the sun, 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 more than 246 shade structure grants to organizations across the country. These shade structures provide shade for more than 558,500 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 Ronald L. Moy, MD, FAAD, president of the Academy. "Seeking shade is a simple way to reduce your risk of skin cancer along with applying sunscreen, wearing sun-protective clothing, and avoiding intentional exposure to tanning devices and midday sun."

More than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than 2 million people are diagnosed annually. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Incidence rates for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, have been increasing for at least 30 years. Melanoma is now the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.

New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Benefits from "Dermatology in Action" Service Initiative

With its grant, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation will install shade umbrellas at Highbridge Pool & Recreation Center, in Washington Heights. 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 2011 is being held in New York, August 3-7.

"The Academy is pleased to award this grant to New York City Parks so that visitors to this pool, particularly children and teens, can be protected from the sun," said Dr. Moy. "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 beneficial and lasting reminder of our summer scientific meeting."

Academy Celebrates 11th Anniversary of its Shade Structure Program with 33 Grants

The Academy awarded its 2011 AAD Shade Structure Program grants to the following 33 organizations:

Albuquerque Public Schools / Sombra Del Monte Elementary School, Albuquerque, N.M.
Sponsored by Matthew Thompson, MD, FAAD

Anna ISD, Anna, Texas
Sponsored by Creed Stewart, MD, FAAD

Area Five Agency on Aging & Community Service, Logansport, Ind.
Sponsored by Josephine Okwechime, MD, FAAD

Billy Mitchell Elementary School, Lawndale, Calif.
Sponsored by Scott C. Rackett, MD, FAAD

Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, Santa Monica, Calif.
Sponsored by Nita P. Patel, MD, FAAD

Brandywine YMCA, Coatesville, Pa.
Sponsored by Scott L. Gottlieb, MD, FAAD

Buena Park High School, Buena Park, Calif.
Sponsored by Robert M. Rosenberg, MD, FAAD

Continental School District #39, Green Valley, Ariz.
Sponsored by Linda J. Ilizaliturri, MD, FAAD

Copper Cannon Camp, Franconia, N.H.
Sponsored by Arthur D. Daily, MD, FAAD

Dillard University (Community Partner of A's & Aces), New Orleans, La.
Sponsored by Sharon S. Meyer, MD, FAAD

Fabra Elementary School, Boerne, Texas
Sponsored by Tracy L. Biediger, MD, FAAD

Fairway Elementary PTO, Wildwood, Mo.
Sponsored by Christopher W. Kling, MD, FAAD

Hands Together A Center for Children, Santa Ana, Calif.
Sponsored by William P. Baugh, MD, FAAD

Hollys' Parent Teacher Community Organization, Denver, Colo.
Sponsored by Elizabeth R. Shurnas, MD, FAAD

Liberty Middle School, Aurora, Colo.
Sponsored by Tina Suneja, MD, FAAD

Mesabi Family YMCA, Virginia, Minn.
Sponsored by Benjamin K. Yokel, MD, FAAD

Miracle League of Blair County, Inc., Altoona, Pa.
Sponsored by John P. Joyce, MD, FAAD

Mt. Airy City Schools - Tharrington Primary School, Mt. Airy, N.C.
Sponsored by Amy E. DeVore, MD, FAAD

Oak Grove Elementary School PTA, Roanoke, Va.
Sponsored by Allison K. Divers, MD, FAAD

Oak Park School, Sarasota, Fla.
Sponsored by Jennifer T. Trent, MD, FAAD

Ocean Bay Elementary School, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Sponsored by Robert D. Bibb, MD, FAAD

Palomar Family YMCA, Escondido, Calif.
Sponsored by Susan Boiko, MD, FAAD

Parr's Ridge Elementary School - Carroll County Public Schools, Mount Airy, Md.
Sponsored by Juris P. Germanas, MD, FAAD

Rena Elementary School, Van Buren, Ark.
Sponsored by Sandra M. Johnson MD, FAAD

SciWorks Science Center and Environmental Park, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Sponsored by Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD, FAAD

Shadowlawn Elementary School, Green Cove Springs, Fla.
Sponsored by George J. Schmieder, DO, FAAD

St. Louis Center for Exceptional Children and Adults, Chelsea, Mich.
Sponsored by Jona K. Gill, MD, FAAD

Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA Camp Cristina, Riverview, Fla.
Sponsored by Nancy Simons Ling, MD, FAAD

Treasure Island Elementary School, North Bay Village, Fla.
Sponsored by Stephen H. Mandy, MD, FAAD

Turner Recreation Commission, Kansas City, Kan.
Sponsored by Trisha A. Prossick, MD, FAAD

Weilenmann School of Discovery, Park City, Utah
Sponsored by Sancy A. Leachman, MD, PhD, FAAD

Westwood Charter Elementary School, Los Angeles, Calif.
Sponsored by Wendy L. Hoffman, MD, FAAD

Woodford County Middle School, Versailles, Ky.
Sponsored by Gerald W. Elliott, MD, FAAD

"The Academy is proud to recognize these 34 organizations which have demonstrated a commitment to sun safety," said Dr. Moy. "Combined, these shade structures will be used by more than 400,500 individuals every day. The Academy is proud to work with these organizations to reinforce the importance of protecting the skin when outdoors."