American Academy of Dermatology awarded 22 organizations with Shade Structure Grants

In an effort to provide children and adolescents more opportunities to play outside while being protected from the sun's dangerous rays, the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) has awarded 22 organizations with Shade Structure Grants. Since its founding in 2000, the Academy's Shade Structure Grant Program has awarded more than 300 shade structure grants to organizations across the country. These structures provide shade for more than half a million individuals each day.

"Since unprotected sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, seeking shade is a simple way to reduce your risk of skin cancer," said board-certified dermatologist Brett M. Coldiron, MD, FAAD, president of the Academy. "The Academy is proud to work with these organizations and encourage the public to protect their skin when outdoors - which includes seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen."

Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is now the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old, and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.

The Academy awarded its 2014 AAD Shade Structure grants to the following organizations:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Cypress, Cypress, California
Sponsored by: Elisa Yoo, MD, FAAD

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Sarasota, Florida
Sponsored by: Heidi Anderson, MD, FAAD

• Bridlewood Bridlewaves Swim Team, Gainesville, Virginia
Sponsored by: Cuong Ha, MD, FAAD

• City View Elementary School, Wichita Falls, Texas
Sponsored by: Linda Reinhardt, MD, FAAD

• Courtney's SandCastle Universal Access Playground, San Clemente, California
Sponsored by: Maryam Moinfar, MD, FAAD

• Del Dayo Elementary School PTO, Carmichael, California
Sponsored by: Peter J. Lynch, MD, FAAD

• First Steps at Monarch Montessori of Denver, Denver, Colorado
Sponsored by: Arun Pathy, MD, FAAD

• Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
Sponsored by: Barbara Honig, MD, FAAD

• Kasson School Parent-Teacher Organization, Moatsville, West Virginia
Sponsored by: Charles Franz, MD, FAAD

• Lake Wylie Elementary, Charlotte, North Carolina
Sponsored by: Meredith Dasher, MD, FAAD

• Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Inc., Idabel, Oklahoma
Sponsored by: Phillip Bandel, MD, FAAD

• London Community Organization/London Municipal Pool, London, Ohio
Sponsored by: Angela Shen, MD, FAAD

• Millard Hawk Primary School, Central Square, New York
Sponsored by: Ibrahim Tangoren, MD, FAAD

• Morgan Elementary School, Clemmons, North Carolina
Sponsored by: Wesley Hawfield, MD, FAAD

• North Topsail Elementary School PTA, Hampstead, North Carolina
Sponsored by: James Appel, MD, FAAD

• Oak Grove Elementary School, Lexington, South Carolina
Sponsored by: Jim Chow, MD, FAAD

• Olde Providence Elementary School, Charlotte, North Carolina
Sponsored by: David Schulman, MD, FAAD

• RSU 18 Atwood Primary School, Oakland, Maine
Sponsored by: Peter H. Bouman, MD, FAAD

• Sandstone Elementary PTA, Billings, Montana
Sponsored by: Roberta Hawk, MD, FAAD

• Tice Elementary, Houston, Texas
Sponsored by: Paula Leis, MD, FAAD

• Wayne Township Preschool, Indianapolis, Indiana
Sponsored by: Robert McCallister, MD, FAAD

• YMCA of Broward County-Weston YMCA Family Center, Weston, Florida
Sponsored by: Quang Le, MD, FAAD

"All 22 of these organizations have demonstrated their commitment to sun safety," said Dr. Coldiron. "Younger individuals are especially vulnerable to the sun's damaging rays because of the amount of time they spend outdoors. Combined, these shade structures will provide shade for more than 8,200 individuals every day."

Academy members play an integral role in the program by encouraging local organizations to apply for the grants and by writing letters of support, a requirement for consideration of applications. The program is open to non-profit organizations that serve children and teens under the age of 18 and incorporate sun safety into their activities. Grants are available for permanent shade structures over outdoor locations that are not protected from the sun, such as playgrounds, pools, eating areas and other locations.

The Academy's Shade Structure Grant Program is financially supported by the Academy and its members' contributions. This program is part of the Academy's SPOT Skin Cancer™ campaign to create a world without skin cancer through public awareness, community outreach programs and services, and advocacy that promote the prevention, detection and care of skin cancer.