White Plains, N.Y. (July 1, 2020) – As City of White Plains officials work to begin to open parks and pools, White Plains Hospital wants to help families in the community with an essential health precaution: protection from skin cancer.
As a reminder of the importance of prevention and routine care, the Hospital has partnered with the City of White Plains to offer contactless dispensers to provide free SPF 30 sunscreen at parks and pools throughout White Plains this summer.
A total of 15 sunscreen dispensers will be available at locations throughout White Plains, including: Gillie Park, Delfino Park, Gardella Park and Pool, Kittrell Pool, Baldwin Farm Community Gardens and Turnure Park.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer – and according to the American Cancer Society there were more than 5 million new cases in the United States last year. “Sunscreen is the first line of defense in reducing the risk of skin cancer and should be part of your everyday routine,” says Dawn French, White Plains Hospital’s Senior Vice President, Community Relations and Marketing. “We are so pleased to partner with the city to encourage the use of sunscreen by making it accessible at pools and parks around the city.”
More than 3,800 residents in New York State are diagnosed with melanoma each year; it is among the top ten cancer diagnoses among New York State residents. For young adults ages 20 to 34 years, melanoma ranks among the top four cancer diagnoses. About 648 New Yorkers die from skin cancer each year and approximately 75% of these deaths are due to melanoma.
“We know that our residents have been looking forward to enjoying our parks, pools, and playgrounds,” said Mayor Roach. “With the support of White Plains Hospital, these contactless sunscreen dispensers make it easy for everyone to do that safely. By following our new protocols that allow for social distancing, and by applying sunscreen as recommended by the Hospital’s dermatologists, we’ll have a happier, healthier summer.”