SureShade sponsors Melanoma International Foundation Safe from the Sun Walk and 5K event in Philadelphia suburbs featuring special guest Mike Schmidt
As a strong advocate for sun safety – both on water and on land – SureShade was proud to be an Advocate level sponsor of the 15th annual Safe from the Sun Walk and 5K event. The event was held April 22, 2018 in Wayne, PA – a suburb of our headquarters in Philadelphia.
Safe from the Sun began in 2002 as a small group walking to bring melanoma awareness to the community. The event quickly grew and expanded, with satellite events in Seattle, WA & Phoenix, AZ.
Achieving an attendance of over 2,500 participants, Safe from the Sun is now the largest melanoma awareness event in the world held at Wilson Farm Park in Wayne, PA.
Safe from the Sun has many components, including a 2-mile walk, 5K run, a Kids’ Dash, and awards ceremony.
A highlight of the event is a free skin cancer screening. Members of the community are welcome to attend this free screening with no obligation to attend the event itself.
Some of the best dermatologists in the area give their valuable time in order to give these skin checks. and we are so grateful. Over the years, a number of melanomas have been found early, which makes every bit of work well worth the effort.
“My girlfriend’s family does this race every year, under the team name, The Racing Rangers in remembrance of her father who passed away from the disease six years ago. To date we’ve raised over $30,000 dollars that goes directly to cancer research. The event was inspiring to say the least. People of all ages and ethnicity getting together to fight a disease that affects so many. It was truly awesome.”
– Justin Palan, SureShade Crossbar Fabricator
Special Guest Speaker Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt – baseball hall of famer, melanoma survivor and Merck’s Your Cancer Game Plan spokesperson – was the special guest speaker sharing his story at the 15th annual Safe from the Sun Walk and 5K Run.
Mike shared his story about the many years he spent playing baseball unprotected from the sun, how he discovered his melanoma and his path to recovery.
Mike is also a lifelong boater and has been a strong advocate for sun safe boating lending his support of better sun safety on boats.
You can learn more about Mike’s cancer game plan in this inspirational video from Melanoma International Foundation.
All of the proceeds from Safe from the Sun benefit the Melanoma International Foundation’s Patient Services Program. This program provides one-on-one support to those facing a melanoma diagnosis, as well as their loved ones. From help understanding pathology to providing travel scholarships to clinical trials, our patient navigator seeks to understand and overcome the obstacles standing between the patient and the best treatment possible.
Learn more about the Safe from the Sun event at www.SafefromtheSun.org.
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