Contact Your Governors Re: Skin Cancer Awareness

Here is a challenge to each of you; a call to action, as it were -

Last year I contacted all 50 U.S. Governors asking them to declare a state-wide celebration of national Skin Cancer Awareness Month (which is in May), and thus actively support skin cancer prevention education efforts.


38 of the 50 Governors responded favorably. Several others stated that their policy was/is to only accept Declarations submitted by citizens of their respective states.

So, this year, in addition to contacting each U.S. Governor, I am asking YOU to help me out, by submitting a request, as well. Please find the both the email address and mailing address to the governor of your state on

http://www.globalcomputing.com/GovernorsContent.htm.


And then send them the following Declaration:

Declaration of Skin Cancer Awareness Month – May 2007


Whereas, skin cancer is the most common and fast growing cancer in the world, with more than 1.3 million new cases diagnosed in the United States annually according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Whereas, melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—kills one person every hour in the United States.

Whereas, melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer among women ages 25-29 and second most common cancer among women in their 30s.

Whereas, skin cancer is caused, overwhelmingly, by over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and from tanning beds, it is largely preventable. 95% of skin cancers are preventable, if we properly protect ourselves from UV rays.

Whereas, 80% of one’s lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18, it is imperative that we instill sun safety behavior among our children at an early age and thus incorporate sun safety education in our public educational system.

Whereas, The Cancer Crusaders Organization, an award-winning non-profit skin cancer education facility – the proud home of the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol© -- strongly urges all Americans to become proactively engaged in efforts to protect our children and young adults from this common, yet preventable disease.
Whereas, The Cancer Crusaders Organization asks for the enthusiastic and proactive support of our educators, health professionals, and leaders to support initiatives and other such efforts to encourage sun-safe practices among our community, and therein significantly reduce skin cancer incidence and mortality throughout the United States and thus improve the overall quality of life.

Now, I ____________, Governor of the State of ____________, hereby declare May 2007 as Skin Cancer Awareness Month.


The more we ask for support from our elected leaders, the more progress we will make melanoma research, sun safety education, research, indoor tanning regulations, dermatologic health care, environmental protection, and other issues pertinent to the reduction and eventual eradication of skin cancer.


Thank you for taking a proactive step in helping us raise awareness and save lives from skin cancer!

Keep Crusading,
Danielle.