Sunscreen saves lives.<\/p>\n
This is according to both the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute<\/a> and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n To bring greater awareness locally of the importance of wearing sunscreen protection to prevent skin cancer, Mike Schmidt,<\/a> a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and retired Phillies first and third-baseman player, has teamed up with Dermatology Partners<\/a> to launch sun safety initiatives throughout the Delaware Valley.<\/p>\n To kick off the partnership, the first Play Sun Safe<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The Play Sun Safe initiative is in conjunction with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation<\/a> to bring prevention resources, education and sunscreen access to local communities through easy access public sunscreen dispensers and education around its use.<\/p>\n Dermatology Partners is the largest physician-led dermatology group in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a practice press release.<\/p>\n The partnership takes advantage of the Mike Schmidt Foundation<\/a>\u2019s mission and its outreach to baseball fans, enthusiasts, spectators and players of all ages throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile my career was thriving, my skin was being damaged by the harmful rays of the sun. Now, I\u2019m committed to making sure the next generation of players and fans understands how to protect themselves.\u201d\u00a0\u2013 Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt<\/p>\n \u201cFrom 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 \u2013 at the ballpark,\u201d the press release said.<\/p>\n Andrew Kay, Dermatology Partners executive vice president of growth, is taking advantage of America\u2019s Pastime to protect Americans\u2019 health.<\/p>\n \u201cBaseball brings communities together like few other things can. By teaming up with the RDK Melanoma Foundation and Mike Schmidt, we\u2019re meeting fans where they are \u2013 on the field and in the stands \u2013 to make sun safety part of the game-day routine,\u201d said Kay.<\/p>\n Schmidt knows first-hand what it means to be diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, in 2013.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a professional baseball player, I spent most of my career in the sun \u2013 without sunscreen,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cWhile my career was thriving, my skin was being damaged by the harmful rays of the sun. Now, I\u2019m committed to making sure the next generation of players and fans understands how to protect themselves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Play Sun Safe events will be held at local youth baseball and softball organizations. It combines education with fun fan experiences.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Other campaign partners include such Minor League Baseball teams as the Reading Fightin\u2019 Phils, a Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a High-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough our partnership with Dermatology Partners, we are expanding that mission in meaningful ways\u2014reaching more communities and more young people with the knowledge that early detection and sun safety truly save lives,\u201d said Deborah Kann Schwarzberg, the RDK Melanoma Foundation president and founder.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you go:<\/p>\n WHAT: A community \u201cPlay Sun Safe\u201d event that is open to the public and will feature:<\/p>\n A keynote presentation by Mike\u00a0Schmidt\u00a0on sun safety and skin cancer prevention.<\/p>\n Free sunscreen access and educational materials for families and fans, provided by Dermatology Partners.<\/p>\n Installation of permanent sunscreen dispensers, along with a seasonal supply of sunscreen, will be installed by Dermatology Partners at a later date.<\/p>\n WHEN: April 21 starting at 5:00 PM:\u00a0Event Start & Sun Safety Presentation<\/p>\n