Town of Maynard Opens Sun Protection Station at Alumni Field

MAYNARD – The Town of Maynard wishes to announce the launch of the Practice Safe Skin program in partnership with two local health-care agencies.

A temporary sunscreen dispenser has been installed at Alumni Field, through the assistance of Emerson Hospital and IMPACT Melanoma.

“May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so we are grateful for the Board of Health’s partnership with Emerson and IMPACT Melanoma,” Board of Health Chair Kathy McMillan said. “Melanoma is an increasing concern, so this station is a reminder to protect your skin in the outdoor months.”

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation: 

• At least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.
• More Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined.
• In the past decade, the number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed annually increased by 44 percent.
• More than 207,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2021.

The Skin Cancer Foundation offers the following tips:

• Seek the shade, especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses with UV protection.
• Avoid tanning and sunburns.
• Apply sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection, of at least SPF 15, every day.
• Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection, of at least SPF 30, at least a half-hour before extended outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours.
• See a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam.

IMPACT Melanoma, based in Concord, is a non-profit group that educates individuals about melanoma, provides tips to help people avoid melanoma and other types of skin cancer, hosts support groups, and donates to research groups to study the effects and treatments of melanoma.

IMPACT Melanoma’s Practice Safe Skin program has installed sunscreen dispensers in more than 4,000 public and private spaces across the country.

Emerson Hospital is a non-profit, acute care, community hospital that serves approximately 300,000 residents in 25 towns. The hospital’s mission is to deliver high quality, safe and cost-effective care to patients, and is committed to collaborating with our community partners to: improve the health status of all those it serves; address root causes of health disparities; and educate the community in prevention and self-care strategies.