Adler Park School Students Practice Sun Safety

Did you know that melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for young adults ages 15-29?

Adler Park School students have been getting educated about the importance of protecting their skin. The school recently held a "Don't Fry Day" event to coincide with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention's campaign of the same name.

"Students were encouraged to wear brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen while playing outside," said Molly Bacilek, who is worked on the sun safety project at Adler. "Students received a popsicle for their participation."

Bacilek offered some sobering statistics about skin cancer.

"Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States. One American dies every hour from it and each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined. One in five children will grow up to get skin cancer," said Bacilek. "We will strive to educate the students about ways they can minimize the harmful effects of excessive and unprotected sun exposure and that protection from intense UV radiation should be a life-long practice for everyone."

Adler Park School, she said, was the first school in Libertyville District 70 to implement the "Don't Fry Day" program. She hopes to "inspire others to do the same."

"We will also be looking at ways we can provide increased shade during school hours for students," said Bacilek.

Students are being asked to follow these sun safety tips:

• Seek shade.

• Wear sun-protective clothing.
  

• Apply sunscreen generously.
  

• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand.
  

• Get Vitamin D safely.