Get a FREE Sun Safety Shirt - NOW!

Sun safety doesn't mean you have to keep the kids cooped up inside all summer long; rather, effectively protecting them from over-exposure to UV rays. More than 95% of skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to UV rays. Therefore, this ever-growing cancer is largely preventable – if we are proactive about protecting ourselves and our children. This means proactive, year-round (and daily) sun safety! (Refer to previous Blog posts about sun safety for kids and the danger of ultraviolet radiation.)

In addition to properly applying sunscreen every day (even on cloudy and cold days), leading dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology recommend wearing quality sun protective clothing. The sun protective clothing available through UVSkinz.com is rated at UPF 50+ (the highest rating) which blocks out >97.5% of UV rays. It’s equivalent to an SPF 30 sunscreen. Together, the proper application of an effective broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen (like Blue Lizard Sensitive or Baby) and wearing quality UPF 50+ sun protective clothing (like those available at UVSkinz.com) provides superb UV protection.

In effort to help families teach their children about the importance of sun safety, UVSkinz.com will be giving away one free UV protective shirt to each family from now until the end of June. UV Skinz founder, Rhonda Sparks, is giving away a free sun protective shirt to honor her husband, Darren, whom she lost to melanoma. Darren, a father of three young children, was only 32-year-old when malignant melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – claimed his life. June commemorates his birthday.

So, from now until June 30th, get a free UV protective shirt for your family through UVSkinz.com. For more information, send an email to: info@uvskinz.com. This is a great opportunity get your hands on quality sun protective apparel this summer! And, don’t forget to apply the sunscreen! (Read previous Blog posts about proper sunscreen application.)

Stay tuned for more information about tips and tools to help educate your children/family about effective sun protection.







Note: The free sun-safe shirt give-away is exclusively through UVSkinz.com. For information and other details, please visit their site. The give-away will go until June 30, 2008. Please take note of the rules regarding the give-away when logging on to www.UVSkiz.com. (The shirts are free with ANY purchase). Please contact UV Skinz for more details.

Introducing a Great Sun Safety Tool for Kids

Many of us have heard about the dangers of over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and its direct link to an increased risk for skin cancer. Yet, how many of us proactively protect ourselves – and our children?

The risk for skin cancer is not hype; rather, it’s a very real threat. More than 1.3-million Americans will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer this year – including melanoma, the deadliest form. In fact, melanoma kills more women in their 20s and 30s than any other cancer. Melanoma is even being seen in young children.


It's true - skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer, and the fastest growing cancer in the United States.

The good news: Skin cancer is largely preventable if we’re proactive about year-round sun protection.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80% of one’s lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18. In other words, if a child suffers one “blistering” sunburn before they reach 18, their risk for skin cancer as an adult dramatically increases (by approximately 60%).

These staggering statistics illustrate a growing epidemic that requires proactive prevention. This includes proper, regular application of a quality broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen – year-round (even on cold, cloudy days). Before your child goes outside, be sure to apply a shotglass amount of a quality broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen all over their body (don’t forget the ears, backs of necks, tops of feet, and hands). Do this approximately 20 minutes before they go outdoors. Then, reapply sunscreen every hour. If your child is under the age of six months, consult your dermatologist for advice. (Infants that young shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.) Begin the process of daily sunscreen application when your children are young to foster a lifelong habit of proper sun protection. And, as with any important lesson, children learn best from example; therefore, parents should be applying sunscreen every day and reapplying it every two hours.

For more information about how sunscreens work, how to choose a quality sunscreen, and how to maximize sunscreen efficacy, please surf the Blog to view articles discussing this topic.

In the meantime, here’s a great educational tool to help teach your children about the importance of sun safety:

SKIN SENSE, written by social worker/mother Lori Glickman, is the first – and only – children’s book that teaches young children about sun safety/skin cancer prevention. Written in the voice of a four-year-old girl, it’s engaging and easy to understand. Order your copy today at www.UVSKINZ.com.

" [SKIN SENSE is] An accurate and important book, which grabs the attention of its young audience and impels them to want to protect their skin.” - Dr. Katherine Bell, dermalogist, Texas.

Blue Lizard Free Sample Update

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Thank you for your interest in Blue Lizard Australian Suncream.

At this time, we have reached our cap for sample requests. Because we're a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteers, our resources are limited. Therefore, we can only accomodate so many requests at-a-time.

When we initially promoted this offer, we had no idea there would be such a surge of interest. Therefore, we set a cap between 500 - 1,000 samples max.

We're thrilled that so many people responded favorably, and are encouraged to see such an interest in sun protection. Indeed, there is a great deal of work still yet to be done to educate our communities about skin cancer prevention.

While we have reached our current cap, we do plan to offer free sunscreen samples again in the future. We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, please read the blog often for skin cancer prevention education tips and updates.

Thank you, again, for your interest - and for helping us fight skin cancer.

Yours in the fight,
The Cancer Crusaders Organization



*Note: We offer(ed)free samples of Blue Lizard Australian Sunscream independently as a public service/educational tool because it's recommended by leading dermatologists. This offer was/is not affiliated with Blue Lizard in any way. We do not make a practice of endorsing products; rather, we donate our time, energy and resources to raising awareness about skin cancer prevention/sun safety. To purchase Blue Lizard sunscreen, please visit www.bluelizard.net. Thank you.