Thousands of Florida students, grades K-8, invited to participate in the Sunwise® With the Shade Foundation® poster contest

April 03, 2006

Tampa, FL - The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, through the State of Florida Cancer Control and Advisory Council (CCRAB) is sponsoring the SunWise® with Shade® poster contest to be held in the state. All children in the state of Florida, grades K-8 are eligible to enter.

The contest calls for teachers to encourage students to creatively depict skin cancer prevention on a poster no larger than 8 ½ x 11. Artwork should be original and raise sun safety awareness. In addition, the poster should incorporate at least five of the SunWise® action steps for sun safety including: using sunscreen, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, limiting time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., seeking shade on sunny days, covering up to protect the skin and checking the UV (ultraviolet) index daily. Entry forms are available at all schools, grades K-8, throughout the state or can be downloaded from the SHADE Foundation Web site at shadefoundation.org. Entries must be accompanied by the contact form and be postmarked by May 1 and received no later than May 10.

Please mail all entries to: Sue Middleton H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute 12902 Magnolia Drive MRC 209 Tampa, FL 33602

Entries are categorized by grade levels and all posters become the property of the SHADE Foundation. Four regional winners will receive prizes. The grand prize winner will receive a family four pass to Universal Studios, including hotel accommodations. The state winner will be entered in a national Web-based competition to be held in July. Contestants’ posters will be judged online by the public. Online voters will be entered into a drawing as an incentive to vote. The overall National Poster Contest winner will receive a one week Disney trip for four with hotel accommodations.

The chance of a child developing skin cancer in his/her lifetime is one in five. In Florida, the risk is even higher. Educating children about the need to take proactive measures is instrumental in preventing future skin cancer cases down the road.

“We need to teach our children to limit the Florida sun not the Florida outdoor fun,” says Sue Middleton, CCRAB Coordinator.

The State of Florida Cancer Control and Advisory Council (CCRAB) was created by the Florida Legislature in 1979 (Chapter 240.5121, Florida Statutes).

The Council's mandate includes: Advising the Governor, state Legislature and state agencies on cancer control issues; developing a Florida cancer plan and allocating funds for research and demonstration projects that address the goals of the Florida Cancer Plan. The organization has recently started an initiative to increase sun awareness education in Florida’s elementary schools.

SunWise® is a voluntary program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency that aims to teach the public how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun through the use of classroom-based, school-based, and community-based components. Information about SunWise can be obtained by visiting www.epa.gov/sunwise

The SHADE Foundation of America was founded in 2002 by Shonda Schilling, wife of Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, after her successful battle with melanoma. The Foundation’s mission is to eradicate melanoma through the education of children and the community in the prevention and detection of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety.

In 2001, the National Cancer Institute awarded Moffitt the status of a Comprehensive Cancer Center in recognition of its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the top cancer hospitals in America. Moffitt’s sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

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