IMPACT Melanoma and Bright Guard install sunscreen dispensers in Granby parks

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IMPACT Melanoma, a non-profit aimed at providing education, prevention and support for the most serious form of skin cancer, has provided the Granby Recreation and Leisure Services Department sunscreen with four dispensers for public use, part of the nonprofit’s Practice Safe Skin program.

“Upon learning of this program, I knew it was the right thing to do for the patrons of our recreation facilities. We care about everyone who comes to the park and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the free sunscreen and to also learn more about how using sunscreen can greatly reduce their risks of melanoma,” reports Tom Tyburski, director of Recreation and Leisure Services in Granby.

The dispensers have been installed at locations in Salmon Brook Park and Ahrens Park and are now available for the public’s use.

“We are thrilled to expand on our highly successful program across the country and continue to offer sunscreen units for public and private distribution throughout the country,” said Deb Girard, executive director, IMPACT Melanoma. “We hope sunscreen dispensers will become as commonplace as hand sanitizers over the next few years.”

The specially-designed dispensers are part of Practice Safe Skin, a program that offers sunscreen as an effective preventive measure to help avoid sun over exposure year round. Each sunscreen dispenser is equipped with a 1,000-ml bag of SPF-30 broad spectrum sunscreen that is paraben-free, fragrance-free, oxybenzone free and water resistant up to 80 minutes. It is aquatic- and marine-safe. The ingredients for the sunscreen are printed on the side of each dispenser unit.

A recent study from the University of Colorado cited this program as an influencing force behind the decrease in melanoma rates in the Northeast. Melanoma is rising faster than any other cancer with one person every 50 minutes dying from the disease. Studies show that with daily sunscreen protection, the risk of melanoma is preventable.