Derek Lowe Is Spokesperson
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- "May is Melanoma Month
around the country because suddenly the days are longer and we get a lot more
sunshine," says Mel Rubin, chairman of the Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation.
"May is also the start of the summer season and we can all look forward to
being outside a lot more. But we need to be careful. Based on what we now
know, the sun can be especially dangerous if we don't take the right
precautions. So May is also all about learning how to do the right thing out
in the sun and on really bright days."
A number of activities are planned by the foundation, and Red Sox pitcher
Derek Lowe who recently agreed to become a spokesperson will be speaking to
school children and Little Leaguers to make them more aware of the dangers of
the sun. "Education is our top priority," says Rubin "and we are thrilled to
have Derek on our team to help tell kids how to protect themselves."
The events and activities that the Foundation is involved with during May
include:
1. May 10th - 5k Run-Walk for Melanoma Awareness, Swampscott
Contact: Shannon Whelan (781) 598-8024
2. May 16th - Living with Melanoma, a free symposium for melanoma patients
and their friends and families at the Massachusetts Medical Society in
Waltham (includes lunch). Contact: Harriet Berman, Wellness Community -
Greater Boston (617) 332-1919
3. May 16th - Melanoma oncology dermatologist Dr. Howard Koh to be honored
at Fenway Park. Dr. Koh is former Massachusetts Commissioner of Public
Health and currently Associate Dean at the Harvard School of Public
Health
4. May 17th - Proclaimed Sun Awareness Day by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino
5. May 17th - Sun Awareness Day at Fenway Park
Derek Lowe to speak prior to the game (if he isn't pitching)
Little League involvement in pre-game ceremonies
Sun Awareness Kits given to all in attendance
As skin cancer frequently results from serious sunburns incurred during
childhood, the Foundation has placed its heaviest emphasis on educating the
young. The Foundation has donated a sun-safety program (the Project
S.A.F.E.T.Y. curriculum and CD generated at the University of Texas) to over
650 schools in the state and the goal is to place it in all schools -- private
and public. In addition to involvement with public and private organization,
the Foundation has made grants to expand medical research and knowledge as
well as established a free melanoma support group in conjunction with the
Wellness Community - Greater Boston.
The Foundation is endorsed by the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology, is
affiliated with the Massachusetts Skin Cancer Prevention Collaborative of the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is a member of the National
Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.
"Skin Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in this country,"
says Mel Rubin "and it is the sixth most common cancer among men and seventh
among women. Surprisingly, the fatality rate from melanoma in Massachusetts is
18% higher than the national average, even though we're not a Sun Belt state."
The Foundation was formed in 1999 and has a medical advisory board of
leading area physicians and health care professionals including Dr. Michael
Atkins (Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center), Dr. Karen Rothman (UMass
Medical Center), Alan Geller (BU Medical School) and Dr. Hensin Tsao (Mass
General Hospital).
Anyone who wants to contact the Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation for
information or to participate in any of their events and activities, should
call (617) 323-1424, send an e-mail to info@massmelanoma.org or go to their
website at http://www.massmelanoma.org.
Press contacts:
Mel Rubin, Chair, Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation -
(617) 784-5807 (cell) (617) 277-6619 (home)
Martin Padley, Sheffield Public Relations (781) 235-7320
SOURCE Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation
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Related links:
http://www.massmelanoma.org
CONTACT:
Mel Rubin, Chair, Massachusetts Melanoma
Foundation, +1-617-784-5807 (cell), +1-617-277-6619 (home); or
Martin Padley, Sheffield Public Relations, +1-781-235-7320, for
Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation
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