The Skin Cancer Foundation:Sun Smart U

I'm writing to inform the Maine Association of School Nurses about the Foundation's free interactive lesson plan called Sun Smart U. Available for students in grades 6-12, the lesson plan helps educate students about skin cancer and encourages them to adopt sun protective behaviors. It was designed according to the CDC's National Health Education Standards and is available in a variety of formats, including PowerPoint and SMART Board.

Skin cancer is the world's most common cancer, with more than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people diagnosed annually in the United States. The numbers are so staggering that last July, the Acting US Surgeon General released a "Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer," which aims to increase skin cancer awareness and call for actions to reduce its risk. Sun Smart U allows schools to respond effectively to this call to action.

How You Can Help:
Members of the Maine Association of School Nurses are very influential to the education system, and the support and promotion of Sun Smart U on your site would be very impactful.  As a way to spread the word among your members, we ask that you consider including information on Sun Smart U in your newsletters or other communication vehicles. The goal is for school nurses and teachers to become aware of the lesson plans and implement Sun Smart U in their schools, reaching kids and influencing their behavior at a very critical time in their development.

I encourage you to check out the website (http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/education-program) where you can download the free lesson plan that is available for teachers.

I would be happy to discuss the program further with you and provide any other information you may need. Sun Smart U is not a commercial product and The Skin Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization.

Many Thanks,
Brian Hanley     Bhanley@skincancer.org