The Choose Skin Health™ National Education Campaign Wants To "Sun Proof Your Community"

The Neutrogena® Choose Skin Health™ national education campaign today announced the Sun Proof Your Community contest, in partnership with the SHADE® Foundation of America, to help protect communities nationwide from the harmful effects of the sun. Sun Proof Your Community is a key element of the ongoing Choose Skin Health™ initiatives aimed at fighting the skin cancer epidemic by educating people on how to make positive changes in their sun behavior - from wearing sunscreen daily to seeking shade - 365 days a year. People can enter to win a sun shade covering for a school, park, playground or community space in their area by going to the Choose Skin Health™ Facebook page.


Many people don't realize that approximately 80 percent of sun exposure is incidental, meaning it happens unintentionally during everyday activities while walking a dog or when children are outside for recess.1 Moreover, Americans still believe dangerous myths when it comes to the sun, putting them at increased risk for skin cancer. A common myth is that people believe they don't need to protect themselves from the sun on cloudy days. Surprisingly, many states with the highest incidence rates of skin cancer are not typically viewed as "sunny locales," including Washington, Minnesota and Vermont.2 Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds.3 This is why it is crucial people nationwide, no matter where they live, protect themselves from the sun - 365 days a year. The Sun Proof Your Community contest will help five communities protect themselves from the sun, no matter where they are located, through the donation of a shade covering.


"As a melanoma survivor, I know first hand the importance of daily sun protection and the need for communities to have areas that provide adequate shade from the sun," said Shonda Schilling, Founder of the SHADE® Foundation of America. "We're proud to partner with Neutrogena® on their Choose Skin Health™ campaign to educate people on the dangers of the sun and to make shade coverings a reality for five communities," she said.


"Sun Proof Your Community" - Here's How To Enter:


To enter the Sun Proof Your Community contest, individuals or groups submit up to a 250-word essay on the Choose Skin Health™ Facebook page, explaining why a school, park, playground or community space in their area deserves to win a sun-shade covering. The call for entries will run from June 22, 2010 through July 20, 2010.


The top 10 finalists, as determined by Neutrogena® and the SHADE® Foundation of America, will be posted to the Choose Skin Health™ Facebook page for public voting. The five entries/locations with the highest number of votes will win a sun shade covering.


No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Must be a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or D.C., 21 years of age or older. Contest starts 6/22/10 at 12:00 a.m. ET and ends 7/20/10 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Subject to Official Rules. Sponsor: Neutrogena Corporation.


1. American Academy of Pediatrics Web site. Last accessed June 15, 2010.



2. CDC Web site. Last accessed March 26, 2010.



3. AAD Web site. Last accessed March, 26, 2010.