MRA, Sports Authority partner in recognition of May's Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May 3 2012

Sports Authority, the nation's premier full-line sporting goods retailer, announced today that it has teamed up with the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) in recognition of May's Skin Cancer Awareness Month for the second year in a row.    

"Sports Authority is proud to support the Melanoma Research Alliance in an effort to accelerate progress toward finding a cure for the deadly skin cancer," Greg Waters, Executive VP of Marketing and Merchandising at Sports Authority. "With summer around the corner, we find ourselves enjoying outdoor activities and warm weather, and at Sports Authority we encourage our guests to recognize and understand the importance of protecting their skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. By donating to the Melanoma Research Alliance, together we will be funding innovative approaches to melanoma prevention and diagnosis."

Throughout May, Sports Authority is offering its customers the chance to make a donation of a $1 or more at checkout to help make a difference in the fight against melanoma. One person dies every hour in the U.S. from melanoma and more than 76,250 cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2012. To date, MRA has awarded more than $38 million to 97 research programs globally. MRA, which directs 100% of all public donations it receives to research, has awarded almost $8 million in 2012 alone, including $3 million awarded to the MRA‐Stand Up to Cancer Melanoma Dream Team.