8 in the future. The structure was built at the Albert Bean Elementary School in Pine Hill, New Jersey, where Neil’s wife Peggy taught for almost 20 years. Instead of covering individual pieces of playground equipment, the foundation built a free-standing shade structure that can be used as an outdoor classroom, as well as a place for parents and their children to stay sunsafe when using the playground during lunchtime and after school. It’s very popular with students, who use it often as a favorite spot to read and play. For more information about the Peggy Spiegler Melanoma Research Foundation, visit www.psmrf.org/. Providing Education and Sunscreen Access in Georgia Georgia native Dr. Ravi Patel was surprised when he saw the melanoma statistics on CDC’s United States Cancer Statistics: Data Visualizations website. “I was shocked to learn that Georgia is ranked number 6 in the United States for melanoma incidence according to the CDC,” he said. “I knew we could do better.” After completing a dermatology rotation at the University of Colorado under the guidance of Dr. Robert Dellavalle, the chairman of the Colorado Skin Cancer Prevention Task Force, Dr. Patel looked for ways to apply the lessons he had learned. First, he founded theGeorgia Sunscreen Initiativewith medical residents at Gwinnett Medical Center and his colleagues at theHearts and Hugs Foundation. Their goal was to reduce skin cancer in local communities, and they began by working with skin cancer prevention experts to identify the leading problems in the state. Step by step, their efforts developed into active partnerships with state agencies and universities. They also drafted a resolution titledSkin Cancer Prevention Education and Sunscreen Access, which was passed unanimously by the Medical Association of Georgia. The resolution encourages— Education about skin cancer prevention in communities, schools, and universities. Educational campaigns about the risks of indoor tanning. Ordinances to reduce harms from indoor tanning. Support for public access to sunscreen. Observation of the first Monday in May as Melanoma Monday. The Georgia Sunscreen Initiative has several goals for 2018, including putting a sun-safety plan into action in all 29 of the state’s public universities, expanding educational programs in schools and high sun-exposure industries (e.g., agriculture and construction), and expanding its network of partners. “The response to our initiative has been incredible,” said Dr. Patel. “We are excited about what 2018 holds for the state of Georgia and beyond.” To learn more about the Georgia Sunscreen Initiative, visit www.heartsandhugs.org/georgiasunscreen-initiative/.
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