"Play Safe In The Sun" Campaign To Shine At McDonald’s LPGA Championship In Wilmington, DE | Events of the Women's Dermatologic Society

All smiles-LPGA Golfer Candie Kung, center, shown with Women's Dermatologic Society dermatologists Dr. Valerie Callender, left and Dr. Sandra Read, WDS President, right, during their "Play Safe in the Sun" Skin Cancer Screening at the McDonald's LPGA championship recently in Wilmington, Delaware. Hundreds of golf enthusiasts visited the WDS Exhibition tent for screenings, sunscreen samples and prevention education materials.

CONTACT:

Nancy FitzGerald 760.333.9296
Kerry Parker
Executive Director, Women’s Dermatologic Society
1-877-WDS-ROSE

Wilmington, Delaware — A dedicated group of women dermatologists has come up with a plan to help arrest the growing epidemic of skin cancer by concentrating on prevention measures, and their first target is the women’s golf community.

As part of a continuing national effort to boost public awareness about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and to encourage ongoing skin cancer prevention measures, the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) will offer free skin cancer screenings at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, June 9-13, 2004. Known as “Play Safe in the Sun,” this campaign primarily focuses on the LPGA golf community, in consideration of the relatively higher risks of skin cancer posed to golf enthusiasts, as indicated by American Academy of Dermatology surveys. Conducted by board-certified WDS dermatologists, these screenings will be offered as a community service to golf tournament participants and spectators.

In commemoration of the national group’s outreach program, Wilmington, Delaware Mayor James Baker will proclaim Wednesday, June 9, 2004 as “Play Safe in the Sun” Day at noon at the DuPont Country Club exhibition tent area. The Mayor said he is pleased to help support this skin cancer prevention campaign as part of the City’s Healthy Wilmington 2010 program. Comments Mayor Baker, “We have to do everything possible to continue providing useful and important health education and preventive health services to our citizens. I commend the efforts of the Women’s Dermatologic Society and its role in the “Play Safe in the Sun Campaign” being held locally at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship.”

Screenings will be conducted at the WDS Exhibition Tent inside the grounds of the DuPont Country Club, Thursday, June 10-Saturday June 12, from 9 am-11 am and 1-3 p.m., and Sunday, June 13 from 9 am-Noon.

According to WDS President Dr. Sandra Read, Washington DC-based dermatologist and AAD national spokesperson on sunscreen and ultraviolet radiation, “In light of the startling estimation that one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in 2004, we are firmly dedicated to educating the public about vigilant skin cancer prevention in the hopes of reducing the incidence of this highly preventable disease and improving survival rates in this country.” Skin cancer has become the most frequent form of cancer among young women, ages 25-29, thus early prevention is “critically important”, emphasizes Dr. Read, and therefore “the Women’s Dermatologic Society is fully committed to getting the word out to ‘Play Safe in the Sun!’”

Safety measures, according to local area host dermatologist and WDS member, Dr. Valerie Callender include routine skin cancer screenings, frequent use of sunblock or sunscreen as indicated by individual skin types, and keeping properly covered with a hat and proper clothing.

Participating dermatologists from surrounding local areas who will volunteer their time to conduct the screenings at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington include: Dr. Sandra Read, Dr. Valerie Callender, Dr. Maral Skelsey, Dr. Ella Toombs, Dr. Beverly Johnson, Dr. Simone McKitty, Dr. Karen McGinnis and Dr. Sandra Vause, all of whom are WDS members.

This public outreach program is part of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) National Skin Cancer Volunteer Screening Initiative. AAD educational materials will be provided to tournament spectators along with free sun protection products donated by corporate sponsors. “Play Safe in the Sun” screenings will take place at selected LPGA tournaments in key cities throughout the year.

For more information, please contact 1-877-WDS-ROSE
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