Aug. 11, 2006 - Safe Sun & Home Runs

The Somerset County Cancer Coalition (SCCC) Invites Kids, Parents to the Aug. 20 ‘Safe Sun…Home Run!’ Event at Patriots Ballpark

            BRIDGEWATER – Want to learn more about having safe fun in the sun?  Come to the Commerce Bank Ballpark on Sunday, Aug. 20, for “Safe Sun … Home Run!,” sponsored by the Somerset County Cancer Coalition (SCCC), the Somerset County Board of Freeholders and the Somerset Patriots.

During and prior to the 5:05 p.m. ball game, kids will have a chance to win sunglasses and Frisbees by answering trivia questions about how and when to properly apply and reapply sunscreen, the meaning of SPF numbers on sunscreen products, and the different types of skin cancers and how to best prevent them. Free sunscreen samples will be available.

Tying in with the flying-saucer giveaways, America’s Best Frisbee Dogs from Niles, Mich., will be part of the entertainment on the field.  Somerset Patriots team players and members of the Board of Freeholders will be on hand to help promote safety-in-the-sun practices.

            “Early detection of skin cancer is the best prevention,” said Freeholder Rick Fontana.  “That’s another focus of this event.  I encourage kids to bring their parents to the ballpark on Aug. 20 to find out more about playing it safe in the sun.”

On the concourse throughout the game, representatives from the SCCC – including the Somerset Medical Center Pro-Kids Program, Somerset County Health Department and Somerville Health Department – will hand out literature, play trivia sun games and answer questions related to cancer information in Somerset County.

The Somerset County Cancer Coalition is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Cancer Control and Prevention.  For more information on the coalition, to become a member or to find out about available cancer-screening locations, dates, times and eligibility, contact Cancer Coalition Coordinator Lucille Y-Talbot at (908) 203-6077 or visit  www.co.somerset.nj.us/health.

For more information, go to the American Cancer Society’s skin cancer prevention Web page at www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_Skin_Cancer_Detection_What_You_Can_Do.asp?sitearea=PED or visit the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s “SunWise” Web page at www.epa.gov/sunwise.