Sunscreen saves lives.
This is according to both the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To bring greater awareness locally of the importance of wearing sunscreen protection to prevent skin cancer, Mike Schmidt, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and retired Phillies first and third-baseman player, has teamed up with Dermatology Partners to launch sun safety initiatives throughout the Delaware Valley.
To kick off the partnership, the first Play Sun Safe sunscreen events will take place Friday in Ridley Park, Delaware County, and then come to Doylestown Township April 21. Events are open to the public.
The Play Sun Safe initiative is in conjunction with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation to bring prevention resources, education and sunscreen access to local communities through easy access public sunscreen dispensers and education around its use.
Dermatology Partners is the largest physician-led dermatology group in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a practice press release.
The partnership takes advantage of the Mike Schmidt Foundation’s mission and its outreach to baseball fans, enthusiasts, spectators and players of all ages throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.
“While my career was thriving, my skin was being damaged by the harmful rays of the sun. Now, I’m committed to making sure the next generation of players and fans understands how to protect themselves.” – Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt
“From Little League fields to Minor League stadiums, the initiative will deliver sun safety education, free sunscreen access, and on-site engagement where fans and families already gathered – at the ballpark,” the press release said.
Andrew Kay, Dermatology Partners executive vice president of growth, is taking advantage of America’s Pastime to protect Americans’ health.
“Baseball brings communities together like few other things can. By teaming up with the RDK Melanoma Foundation and Mike Schmidt, we’re meeting fans where they are – on the field and in the stands – to make sun safety part of the game-day routine,” said Kay.
Schmidt knows first-hand what it means to be diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, in 2013.
“As a professional baseball player, I spent most of my career in the sun – without sunscreen,” Schmidt said. “While my career was thriving, my skin was being damaged by the harmful rays of the sun. Now, I’m committed to making sure the next generation of players and fans understands how to protect themselves.”
Play Sun Safe events will be held at local youth baseball and softball organizations. It combines education with fun fan experiences.
Early community actions include installing sunscreen dispensers and maintaining refills at organizations such as the Doylestown Athletic Association, Ridley Area Little League, Ridley Township Parkers and Ridley High School Athletics.
Other campaign partners include such Minor League Baseball teams as the Reading Fightin’ Phils, a Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a High-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
“Through our partnership with Dermatology Partners, we are expanding that mission in meaningful ways—reaching more communities and more young people with the knowledge that early detection and sun safety truly save lives,” said Deborah Kann Schwarzberg, the RDK Melanoma Foundation president and founder.
If you go:
WHAT: A community “Play Sun Safe” event that is open to the public and will feature:
- A keynote presentation by Mike Schmidt on sun safety and skin cancer prevention.
- Free sunscreen access and educational materials for families and fans, provided by Dermatology Partners.
- Installation of permanent sunscreen dispensers, along with a seasonal supply of sunscreen, will be installed by Dermatology Partners at a later date.
WHEN: April 21 starting at 5:00 PM: Event Start & Sun Safety Presentation
WHERE: Doylestown Athletic Association, Turk Park II, 1260 Almshouse Rd., Warrington, PA (Doylestown Township)
For more information on the Play Sun Safe Initiative and partnership, visit here.
