Johns Creek Tackles Melanoma With Sunscreen Dispensers

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 was pleased the program was reaching into the Southeast. The organization recently initiated a similar program with the city of Boston.

"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."

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Under the program, the group will install five dispensers and provide four bags of free SPF 30 sunscreen, safe for people aged 6 months or older. After that, the city 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, all of which are free. The dispensers are currently installed at Newtown, Ocee, and Shakerag parks.

The program came on Johns Creek's radar when City Council member Steve Broadbent met Paul Gourley, a board member of Melanoma Foundation of New England, on an airplane flight from Miami to Atlanta. Later, Gourley called Broadbent about the program, and Broadbent arranged for him and city staff to talk.

Melanoma is a deadly, yet highly preventable form of skin cancer. This year alone more than 10,000 people in the United States will die from melanoma - that’s one person every 50 minutes.

Melanoma is the second-most common cancer in teens and young adults 15-29, and the most common cancer in men over the age of 50.

The incidence of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is rising faster than that of any other cancer and is a relatively easy disease to prevent: Most melanomas are easy to stop if caught soon enough — all it takes is a yearly skin exam.

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Photo: from left to right are Paul Gourley, Melanoma Foundation of New England board member, and Steve Broadbent, mayor protem and Johns Creek City Council member. Credit: city of Johns Creek