hen it comes to skin cancer pre-
vention advocates, they don't
come more passionate than
Robin Lawrence-Broesch of the
Evansville Cancer
Center in
Evansville,
Indiana. Robin
has been a vocal
supporter of sun
protection and
skin cancer edu-
cation since being
diagnosed with
malignant
Robin melanoma in
Lawrence-Broesch 2002. "My goals
are to reach out
into the school system and the public
and teach the dangers of skin cancer,"
says Robin.
Because of Robin's dedication to skin
cancer prevention and education aware-
ness, EPA is naming her SunWise
Champion for this issue of the
SunWise Monitor.
Robin's skin cancer education efforts are
truly impressive. She has supported the
following activities:
• Conducted more than 50 presenta-
tions to over 10,000 grade school,
middle school, high school, and uni-
versity students.
• Performed several in-services with
area industries where she presented
information on skin cancer to their
entire workforce.
• Attended several health fairs.
• Currently working with the Girl
Scouts, teaching sun safety by having
the scouts make UV bracelets.
Robin's outreach has also focused on the
health aspects of skin cancer prevention
through the following efforts:
• Organized three free full-body
skin cancer screenings with area
dermatologists.
• Had several television stations cover
her efforts in schools and the commu-
nity as part of skin cancer awareness
month.
Hit; 10,000
n 2004, the SunWise Program reached a major milestone, with more than
10,000 school registrations nationwide—covering all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Having begun just five years ago in 1999 as a pilot
program in only 50 schools, this is an incredible achievement. The SunWise
Program thanks the SunWise Partners who have made this possible!
430F04060
• Teamed up with pharmaceutical
companies that have supplied educa-
tional materials and sunscreen for dis-
tribution at the Center.
• Conducted "Pool Patrol" over the
summer, going to different swimming
pools each week with a local radio sta-
tion to distribute sunscreen and
demonstrate the UV sensitive frisbee.
In addition to being diagnosed with
melanoma in 2002, Robin has had 16
other biopsies and surgeries for skin
cancer. Fortunately, all incidences were
detected early and had not spread to her
lymph nodes or other organs. Robin
says, "Because of early detection, I am
very lucky to be alive, and I want to do
everything possible to help others
understand the fragility of life and the
importance of protecting themselves
from skin cancer."
Keep up the good work, Robin!
HIGHLIGHTS
SunWise Award Winners 2
SunWise Targets Informal
Learning Institutions 3
SunWise Receives
Gold Triangle Award 3
Global UV Index 4
SunWise PSAs 5
SHADE Foundation's Teen Program ....6
Sun Protection Foundation 7
-------
SunWise Monitor
he Shining Star Award recognizes
SunWise Partners that are enthu-
siastically implementing the
SunWise Program and/or have shown a
lasting commitment to sun safety edu-
cation. The 2004 winners are:
• Diane Trantham, Center for
Creative Learning, Ellisville,
Missouri, has used SunWise in her
classroom for several years and inte-
grated activities into her own "There's
No Zone Like the Ozone" lesson plan.
• Daniel Chuhta, Massabesic Junior
High School, Waterboro, Maine,
consistently collects and reports UV
data with his classes.
• Colette Coyne, Colette Coyne
Melanoma Awareness Campaign
(CCMAC), New Hyde Park, New
York, diligently promoted sun safety
attitudes, especially among the
nations youth.
• Karen Green, The Swain School,
Allentown, Pennsylvania, used the
SunWise Program in innovative ways;
collects and reports UV data; created
"Are You SunWise at Swain" test; and
throws a SunWise Beach Party, distrib-
uting sun safety information to parents.
• Carlos Olivo, Holy Cross
Lutheran School, Dallas,
Texas, set up a UV and
ozone alert bulletin
board to collect data;
provides UV updates in
the school newsletter;
and organized the school's
first Environmental Fair.
• Paul Gross,
Meteorologist, WDIV-
TV, Detroit, Michigan,
used the SunWise fris-
bee and UV meter in
a TV spot featuring
the UV Index and travels to local
schools to promote sun safety.
Doug Widner, Peggy Notebaert
Nature Center, Chicago, Illinois,
incorporated SunWise into teacher
training workshops, festivals for scout
groups, and their Voyagers After
School Program.
Application
he Helios Leadership Award is
awarded to SunWise Partners that
meet all of the eligibility criteria
for the Shining Star Award and have
also shown outstanding leadership in
school-based sun safety education.
Leadership can be demonstrated by
instituting a policy to address sun safety
that can serve as a model to other
schools/districts, erecting a shade struc-
ture, or addressing the issue of sun safe-
ty in a way that sets them apart from
the Shining Star award recipients. The
2004 winners are:
• Shonda Schilling, The SHADE
Foundation of America, worked with
SunWise to spread the message of sun
safety to schools across Arizona, and
now Massachusetts. Schilling assisted
in providing information on sun-safe
practices and helped obtain shade
structures for school playgrounds.
• Sharon McKenna, Arizona
Department of Health
Services (ADHS),
Children's Environmental
Health Program, vigorous-
ly promoted the SunWise
message to Arizona
schools, including sponsor-
ing a poster contest to help
engage Arizona students in
the SunWise way of life. Also
helped EPA place radio pub-
lic service announce-
ments in Bashas grocery
stores in Arizona.
SunWise Partners interested in
applying for the 2005 Shining Star
or Helios Awards should submit a
description (200 words or less) of
how you implemented the SunWise
program, along with documenta-
tion of eligibility, such as lesson
plans, student samples, photos, or
news clips about your SunWise
work to:
SunWise Program
U.S. EPA
1101 17th Street, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Contact: Paula Selzer
Phone: (202) 343-9361
Fax: (202) 466-3363
email: sunwise@epa.gov
Information about eligibility criteria
can be found at .
The application deadline is
March 31,2005.
• Bethann (and Emily) Nelson, Bonita
Springs Elementary School, Bonita
Springs, Florida, worked with the
school's PTA to fundraise for a shade
structure for the playground. Her
daughter, Emily, assisted in promoting
the shade structure and works with
other groups promoting sun safety.
More information on all of the award
winners can be found at
.
-------
SunWise Monitor
he SunWise Program is continuing
to expand by teaming up with the
informal education community.
Children's museums, science and nature
centers, parks, and aquariums are
beginning to incorporate sun safety
messages into their programming.
Within the last two years, approximate-
ly 100 of these organizations have regis-
tered as SunWise partners.
What Is SunWise?
Through programs such as summer
camps, planetarium shows, children's
theater, and special events, kids can
learn about the importance of sun safe
behaviors, with an emphasis on science.
Adults involved with after-school clubs,
health fairs, teacher training workshops,
nature centers, and community events
can also integrate SunWise into their
educational programs.
To help inform
these organiza-
tions about the
SunWise pro-
gram, EPA part-
nered with the
American
Association for
the Advancement
of Science
(AAAS) to host
regional recruit-
ing workshops.
Three workshops
were held in the
spring of 2004
in Chicago,
Above and above right: EPA's new brochure promoting the learning
institutions initiative.
Los Angeles, and
Tampa. Three
more are planned
for the spring of
2005 in Dallas,
and two addition-
al cities (one in
the Pacific
Northwest and
one in the South,
still to be deter-
mined). In
September, AAAS
hosted a
"SunWise Breakfast" at the annual
Association of Science-Technology
Centers (ASTC) conference in San Jose,
California, to recruit more of the infor-
mal learning institutions.
For more information on how your
neighborhood children's museum or sci-
ence center can become a SunWise
partner, contact Paula Selzer at
.
Receive; 6oW Triable
!n July 2004, the SunWise Program received the American
Academy of Dermatology's Gold Triangle Award. The
Gold Triangle Award recognizes media, industry, the
health community, and
individuals who further
the understanding of
dermatological issues
and encourage healthy
behavior in the care of
skin, hair, and nails.
The eighth annual
Linda Rutsch of EPA receives the
Gold Triangle award on behalf of
the SunWise Program.
awards ceremony, held
in New York City,
included greetings and
congratulations to the honorees from
President Bush and was emceed by
actors Anthony Ruivivar and Yvonne
Jung of NBC's "Third Watch." Of par-
ticular note was the acknowledgement
made of the SunWise Program by fel-
low recipients, including the Colette
Coyne Melanoma Awareness
Campaign, the Curt and Shonda Schilling SHADE
Foundation, and Dr. Ann Haas' Sun Safe City Program.
Each of the organizations recognized the SunWise Program's
success in incorporating sun safety lessons into multiple
learning forums.
-------
SunWise Monitor
UV M.
New Global Solar
UV Index Number
2 or less
3 to 5
6 to 7
8 to 10
11 +
UV Index
Exposure Level
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme
ItV Never Too Late to Be
ince 1986, people have been told that they receive as
much as 80 percent of their lifetime UV dose by the
age of 18. A recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) study, lead by Dianne E. Godar, Ph.D., concluded
that Americans get less than 25 percent of their lifetime UV
exposure by age 18. The FDA study explained that the 80
percent figure was based largely on a misinterpretation of
data, due to an analysis that regular use of SPF 15+ sun-
screen during the first 18 years of life would reduce a per-
son's lifetime incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers by
78 percent. Some people, assuming a direct link, miscon-
strued these data to mean that individuals also get about
80 percent of their lifetime dose of UV by the age of 18. In
reality, however, the calculations were based on the inci-
dence of nonmelanoma skin cancers being related to the
square of the UV dose. It is not uncommon to miss the
subtle distinction between dose and dose squared, and
once that occurred, the notion of 80 percent UV exposure
before the age of 18 became the resonating message in the
sun safety community.
While SunWise education of youth continues to be of
utmost importance, the conclusion of the FDA study reiter-
ates the need to practice sun-safe behaviors throughout the
course of one's lifetime, rather than focusing solely on pre-
ventative steps taken during childhood. People of all ages
should protect themselves from being overexposed to UV
radiation. It's never too late to prevent skin cancer!
-------
SunWise Monitor
kore;
"Make $»* fafety
k
*
ith the help of the B.C. United soccer team, SunWise
placed public service announcements (PSAs) — with
steps on how to be sun-safe — in Washington, DC's
public transit system in the early sum-
^ mer months of 2004. The "Make
Sun Safety Your Goal" campaign
has been a great success in both
the Metro subway stations and on
the side of Metro buses. Chicago's
"L" subway system also posted
PSAs featuring messaging by the
Chicago Fire soccer team. The next
proposed location for PSA placement is
Los Angeles, with potential distribution by early next year.
EPA is grateful for the assistance of the American Academy of
Dermatology and the U.S. Soccer Foundation for the develop-
ment of the "Make Sun Safety Your Goal" PSAs. Also, be sure to
stay tuned for additional SunWise PSAs in a variety of grocery
stores and on AM and FM radio stations. Word has it that some
Bashas grocery stores in Phoenix, Arizona, are playing SunWise
PSAs as part of a children's health education initiative!
Protect)*^
Eyef
ost people are aware of the link between UV radiation and skin cancer, but
many are less aware of the connection between UV radiation and eye dam-
age. A new EPA publication entitled Prevent Eye Damage: Protect Yourself
from UV Radiation sheds light on this issue and encourages people to take the nec-
essary precautions to protect their eyes from being damaged. The fact sheet
includes information on the potential effects of UV radiation on eyes, such as
cataracts; statistics on eye and vision disorders in the United States; and a fre-
quently asked questions
section.
PREVENT EYE
Protect Yourself from
UV Radiation
You can view the fact
sheet online at
.
-------
SunWise Monitor
he deep 4-inch scar just below Jacky Sims' neck is a
reminder of a lesson she learned the hard way: kids get
skin cancer, too. It has been a year since the 16-year-old
Arizona native was diagnosed with the disease, after a routine
exam identified a discolored mole on her chest, which was
removed and then tested.
"I didn't even know what
'malignant melanoma'
meant," said Jacky, who told
her story in the June issue of
YM magazine. She urges
teens everywhere to protect
themselves from the sun's
rays, but especially in
Arizona, where she says tan-
ning is frequently considered
"cool" and easy—and a place
the Arizona Cancer Center
reports is second only to
Australia for skin cancer.
Tanning beds are a "huge
thing at my school," Jacky
Jacky Sims
reports. "Even if you don't get skin
cancer, you'll be all wrinkly."
Jacky contacted the SHADE
Foundation earlier this year
because she wanted to help get
the message out to other teens.
She and two friends have cre-
ated a teen program, including
a teen discussion board where
teenagers can share informa-
tion and get support. In addition,
parents and teachers can access the "Tanning Through the
Ages" program, which can be downloaded and taught at
home and in schools. For more information, visit
and click on Teens!
In other SHADE Foundation news, due to the smashing suc-
cess of the 2004 sun safety poster contest sponsored by the
SHADE Foundation, the organization will be repeating the
contest in 2005 and expanding it to additional states. Please
visit the SHADE Foundation Web site listed above for more
information and to determine if your school will be eligible to
participate.
National
n the July 2004 issue of Science and
Children, the National Science
Teachers Association (NSTA) high-
lighted EPA's SunWise program in an
article called "Get SunWise."
The article pointed out that teaching
science and providing health and safety
often go hand-in-hand. The article con-
tinued by stating that providing sun-
safe environments, schedules, and activ-
ities; teaching and modeling sun-safe
behaviors; and implementing a sun-
safe school policy are ways that schools
can help protect children from sun
overexposure and lay the foundation
for a healthy lifestyle at an early age.
In the article, NSTA adds that successful
strategies—including classroom activi-
ties and schoolwide guidance—are
easily available to schools and teachers
through the SunWise program.
Sunwise was
also recently
featured in
the October 2004 National Institutes
of Health publication Environmental
Health Perspectives, in the article enti-
tled "Setting a New Syllabus....
Environmental Health Science in the
Classroom." The article highlighted
SunWise for its ability to integrate sun
safety into education for primary and
secondary students.
-------
SunWise Monitor
orking with 16 local schools, the
Sun Protection Foundation—a
nonprofit educational organiza-
tion based in Boston—presented its sun
safety awareness program to more than
8,000 pre-kindergarten to 12th grade
students in 2003. Founder Maryellen
Maguire-Eisen calls the Foundation's
program The Real World Sun
Protection Program' because it recog-
nizes the real-world academic and social
demands under which schools operate.
Maguire-Eisen decided to ask the
schools to partner with the Foundation
so that they could deliver the sun safety
message together.
One of the key elements of the program
is the Foundation's partnership with
EPAs SunWise Program. This relation-
ship provides the Real World Sun
Protection Program with a number of
valuable tools for the classroom, includ-
ing UV meters, lesson plans, an educa-
tional Web site, and relevant weather
maps. Students in nine participating
schools have used the UV meters to
detect and report the daily UV intensity.
Mary Stagno, health educator at Cedar
Elementary School in Hanover,
Massachusetts, notes, "The sun safety
program is extremely well designed,
and the implementation is excellent."
Additionally, Beverly DiGregorio, the
school nurse at the Jefferson School in
Rockland, Massachusetts, has requested
that the Foundation provide the pro-
gram at four additional schools in
Rockland this year.
For more information on the Sun
Protection Foundation, please visit
.
A SunWise student reports the UV Index.
ith an average of 300 days of sunshine per year,
Arizona is certainly no stranger to the sun. This past
summer, the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation
Department capitalized on this fact and decided to spread
the SunWise message during the annual Arizona Parks and
Recreation Association Statewide Conference. Facing 113-
degree weather, the organization coordinated "Kids Day of
PLAY!," which included several
SunWise components for the
144 youth who participated.
city
Since the event was held outside, one comrjp^rovidec
large shade structure while another compji^cept it
ed with water so the participants stayed-tool. The SI
Foundation provided informational materials, hats,
sunscreen to all participants. Throughout the day,
of Phoenix staff checked to make sure the participal1
used their sunscreen and stayed protected.
Prior to this event, the city had already begun teaching
SunWise to park rangers, and after school recreation staff
have been incorporating SunWise in their programs. "This
event was an important step in spreading the message to a
larger audience and sharing it with the state of Arizona,"
said Lisa Quinonez, recreation coordinator for the City of
Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. In addition to
the SunWise message, Kids Day at PLAY! emphasized
healthy behavior in general. Among other activities, the
Arizona Coalition for a Healthy and Active America hand-
ed out pedometers to participants, and the Phoenix Fire
Department sponsored their "Fire Fit Kids" program.
-------
vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
(6205J)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA 430-F-04-050
December 2004
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
G-35
^§A) Recycled/Recyclable-
Primed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% (Minimum 50% Postconsumer) Recycled Paper.
Nl '9||!
oi8ijjno$ (yiSN) uoijopossy
'S002 '
jo
-\\ 'oBosjiQ 'puojBgy |S9Mp!vy (yiSN) uouopossy
SJ91JDD9L 93U9D$ pUOjJDN 'gQOS '2l~0 I J»qUJ9AON
XI 'uojsnoH '(iSVD) BujijDDaj^ 93U9p$ p
^ JQ^ 93U9J9^uo3 :9002 '6Z~tZ
IV '
jo uoi
lS3nO
UDDuauuy =5002 'Ol~Z
DO 'uo|Bu!HsDM '(NSVN)
UOJ+DN :go02 '£ ^|nf-O
N| 'S!|odDUD!pu| '9DU9J9JUCQ pnuuy
,u9jp|jij3 jo uonopossy :gQ02 '0£-8
QVN 'sjouj^pg '(dS3VN) spdpuuj
jo uoj4Dpossy PUOJPN :5002 '6l-?l |!jdV
q-| 'opuopo '(QDSV) |u9wdo|9A9Q uuninDoin^
PUD uojSjAjgdng joj uojjopossy :gQ02 't~Z IP'V
yj 'oiudppDimd '(y33N) uoippossy
------- |