Fun run shuns sun to aid cancer fight
Valley residents are encouraged to “limit the sun, not the fun” Saturday in Glendale for the inaugural Sunset Run for SHADE to combat skin cancer.
The SHADE Foundation of America organized the event, which will take place around Westgate City Center’s Events Plaza.
Once the sun goes down, participants will take part in a one-mile family fun race or 5K run/walk.
Kids’ treasure hunts and a sun safety expo are also planned.
The mission of the Scottsdale-based foundation is to eradicate melanoma through education and the promotion of sun-safety awareness.
Shonda Schilling, wife of Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, founded the nonprofit in 2002 after she battled and survived malignant melanoma.
Skin cancer has become the fastest-growing cancer, and Arizona has one of the highest incidence rates, the foundation says.
While melanoma accounts for about 5 percent of skin cancer cases, it causes the most deaths.
This year, it is estimated that about 1.3 million new skin cancers will be diagnosed in the United States, according to the foundation.
“Everyone is susceptible, but skin cancer is easily preventable if we just protect ourselves,” said Daphne Coulter, Sunset Run event coordinator. “Studies show one out of five children will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, so we focus much of our efforts on educating young people.”
Last year, almost $700,000 in donations allowed the foundation to provide 30 SHADE cover grants, educate more than 100,000 students and conduct more than 5,000 free screenings.
The cover grants provide shade structures for playgrounds or pools at schools and community organizations.
“We already had the grant program and attended health fairs, but we wanted a more direct way to put the message of sun safety in front of people,” Coulter said of the Sunset Run. “There are a lot of runs and races in the Valley, but to limit sun exposure, we designed it as an evening event.”
The SHADE Foundation chose May for the run as part of Melanoma Awareness Month.
“A huge part of living in Arizona is being able to go outside year-round,” Coulter said. “To stay safe, people need to remember to dress accordingly, wear sunglasses and use enough sunscreen.”
source: www.azcentral.com
