Johns Creek Offers Free Protection Against Skin Cancer

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- In the first anti-skin cancer initiative of its kind in Georgia, the Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division is teaming up with Melanoma Foundation of New England and Make Big Change to place sunscreen dispensers at city parks.

“Melanoma is one of the most common forms of cancer and one of the easiest to prevent,” said Kirk Franz, Johns Creek Recreation manager. “People with kids in various programs often spend an entire day at the park, and they and the kids can end up with severe sunburns. Providing free sunscreen at a nominal cost is another way we can help promote the public health and welfare.”

Deb Girard, executive director of Melanoma Foundation of New England, said she is pleased to see the program expand into the southeast. The Foundation recently launched a similar program with the city of Boston.

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"Due to the success of our Boston sunscreen initiative, we were approached about expanding the program to John's Creek,” she said. “We were thrilled at the opportunity to continue offering free sun protection to the public and look forward to this partnership." 

Under the program, the Melanoma Foundation of New England will install five dispensers and provide four bags of free SPF 30 sunscreen, safe for people aged 6 months or older. After that, Johns Creek will pay for replenishing the sunscreen, estimated to cost about $500 a year. The dispensers hold a 1 liter bag of sunscreen. Each bag contains 670 applications. Applications are free. The dispensers are currently installed at Newtown, Ocee and Shakerag parks.

The program came on the city's radar when Council member Steve Broadbent met Paul Gourley, a board member of Melanoma Foundation of New England, on an flight from Miami to Atlanta. 

Later, Gourley called Broadbent about the program, and Broadbent arranged for him and city staff to talk. The Melanoma Foundation of New England program was started in Boston this year, and Johns Creek is the first city in Georgia to adopt it. 

According to its website, the Melanoma Foundation of New England, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting prevention and early detection of melanoma. Make Big Change is a non-profit organization wholly dedicated to reducing the incidence of skin cancers through educational awareness and strategic prevention initiatives.

You can learn more about melanoma by clicking here. 

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Images via city of Johns Creek