Jo Ellen Cortapasso, Chairman
33 Ontario Road, Bellerose Village, NY 11001
JCortapassoNY@aol.com

The sun may be necessary for life and some exposure to sunlight is enjoyable, however too much can be dangerous and lead to adverse health effects, including skin cancer.

Since 1970 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been committed to protecting human health and the environment.

“SunWise” is a partnership program of the EPA. This program is an environmental and health education program that aims to teach the public how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun. At no cost to you the EPA’s “SunWise Program” will enable you to educate your club members, community and schools on the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This overexposure can cause serious health effects including skin disorders as well as cancer, eye damage and immune system suppression.

If you have access to a computer you may learn more about the EPA at EPA.gov.

The “SunWise” program at www.epa.gov/sunwise is a great source of free information. This program recommends you protect yourself from overexposure to UV radiation by setting up an Action Plan. This simple plan should read as follows:

Do Not Burn: five or more sunburns double your risk of developing skin cancer.

Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds: UV light from Tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you have been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

Generously Apply Sunscreen to all exposed skin using at least SPF 15, however SPF 30 is better. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming and sweating.

Wear Protective Clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Seek Shade whenever appropriate, remembering that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Use Extra Caution near Water, Snow and Sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.

Watch for the UV Index, The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities. You may sign up for daily UV Index alerts on the “Sunrise” website.

Get Vitamin D Safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with Vitamin D.

Understanding the risk of over exposure to the sun’s UV rays and taking sensible precautions will help you to enjoy the sun while lowering your chances of sun-related problems later in life.

As Chairman of this Special Project I will keep you informed of pertinent information regarding the negative effects of overexposure to the sun, the EPA and the “Sunrise Program”.

Please consider building a sun shelter in your community to protect children and teens from the harmful UV rays of the sun on local sporting fields. Samples of shelters may be found at PITCHEQUIPMENT.com or by calling 1-866-482-0221 requesting a catalogue. If purchasing a shelter proves to be too costly consider “Adopting a Team”: provide a team of soccer players with sun visors; supply sunscreen to a team of baseball or football players; purchase a tent for donation to a coach as a sun shelter on any sports field.

This Special President’s Project is a two year assignment. Please keep track of all programs and projects your club participates in pertaining to Skin Cancer Awareness and report it to me by next February 15, 2010.