About Me
NEWS:
Standing up Against Skin CancerOn the morning of June 19th, 2008, Cocoa Beach resident Justin DeBree will embark on a challenging 18 day journey from Key Biscayne, FL up the East Coast to St. Mary's, Georgia. The expedition's goal is to raise money and awareness while promoting the World Skin Cancer Foundation's mission. The grueling 398 mile long journey will be done entirely on a stand up paddle board.Justin is 27 years old and is a Territory Manager for DeWALT Industrial Power Tools & a volunteer for the World Skin Cancer Foundation. Justin has been stand up paddle boarding every day for the past year in preparation for this journey and is eagerly awaiting this challenge.The World Skin Cancer Foundation has been formed to educate the public of the importance of making sun protection a health priority. We believe that insufficient attention is paid to this most common form or cancer.Outdoor activities are increasingly popular, and are a way of life for many. Healthy exercise and fresh air is a good thing. At the same time, the ozone layer continues to deteriorate, with the potential to cause further increases in skin cancer rates.Ninety percent of skin cancers found in adults were caused by their over-exposure to sun as children and teenagers. The injury of sunburn seems temporary, but the long-term effects of burns and over-exposure compound over time. To most effectively reduce long term skin damage, protection needs to start early, and healthy habits need to be ingrained at a young age.The World Skin Cancer Foundation intends to reach people who will most benefit from our message: people who are active in the outdoors, especially young people. Our campaign will focus on educating children and young people, as well as their parents and caregivers, about the dangers of unprotected exposure to the sun. While our focus is on young people, other members of the public will also hear and benefit from our message.Our message will not be that people should sit indoors all day. Instead, we will teach awareness of the effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays. We will educate people to use the correct tools and strategies to enjoy the outdoors safely. We will promote the use of umbrellas and canopies to provide outdoor shaded areas.To accomplish our goals, the Foundation will distribute literature and create classroom programs. We intend to create UV Awareness signs to be placed at beach ramps. We will spread our message through signs, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and sports activities. Local doctors have agreed to provide free skin cancer screenings at our events. We have received initial offers of support from sports figures who will help get the message out.Our educational and fundraising activities will involve outdoor sports and hobbies, such as surfing, fishing, golf, soccer, baseball, softball,tennis, skateboarding and volleyball. To successfully reach young people, we want to keep the fun in our announcements, activities and fundraisers. We do not want to frighten young people away from outdoor activities; we want to encourage them to enjoy those activities in a safe manner. The message of the Foundation is "Enjoy the outdoors safely. Protect yourself from sun damage." More concisely, the message is "BE UV AWARE". If we can keep our message and activities fun, we will have a greater impact on all ages.The problem with the ozone layer is not going away. Nevertheless, through healthy habits and proper protection, people who are outdoors can substantially decrease their risk of skin cancer. We believe we can educate people, and help them to safely enjoy outdoor activities the rest of their lives. We look forward to success in reaching our goals.table table table{
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