Newswise — Having one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chance of developing melanoma later in life, yet less than one-third of all young people take the proper steps to protect their skin from excessive sun exposure, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Loyola University Health System is taking steps to curb this trend. The organization will partner with the Women’s Dermatologic Society on its “Time Out, Protect Your Skin” initiative to educate grade-school-age children about sun safety.
Loyola dermatologists and staff will visit Forest Road School from 10–11:30 a.m. and from 12:30–2 p.m. on Friday, March 22, to teach students how to protect their skin. The event will take place in the school’s library, located at 901 N. Forest Road in LaGrange Park. They will be joined by Loyola nurse and Forest Road School alumna Kim Harris, RN.
“I am pleased to use my background as a dermatology nurse to give back to students in the community where I grew up,” Harris said. “We hope to instill good skin health habits in these young people to better protect their health down the road."
Time Out, Protect Your Skin will incorporate sun-safety education, outreach and materials into the school’s curriculum through an ongoing collaboration. The program provides sun-safety training for faculty and administration. It also funds a shade project that will be installed on the school’s grounds and provides SPF 60 broad-spectrum sunscreen and UV color-changing bracelets to students and staff.
“We are grateful to Loyola and the Women’s Dermatologic Society for teaching our students about the dangers of sun damage,” said Lisa Cavaliere, vice principal, Forest Road School. “This session is especially timely as many of our students prepare to visit sunny locations on spring break next week.”
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