The WDS promotes Sun Safety through “Families Play Safe in the Sun”, a broad-based national campaign, made possible through a generous grant from the 3M Foundation. Through a wide range of educational and outreach programs in fifteen communities across the United States, “Families Play Safe in the Sun” offers free skin cancer screenings, educational materials and dynamic sun protection activities geared for the needs and interests of different communities. Led by WDS member dermatologists, the campaign is designed to help spread the message of skin cancer prevention and proper skin health.

“Families Play Safe in the Sun” responds to the urgent need for greater awareness about skin cancer prevention, in light of the American Cancer Society projection that one American dies every 68 minutes from melanoma, and other alarming statistics.

The Women’s Dermatologic Society is grateful to the 3M Foundation for its vision and generosity so that its member dermatologists in all regions of the United States can reach out into their communities to help educate, empower and encourage people of all ages to make sun safety a way of life.



2006_11_06UV Index
The ozone layer shields the Earth from harmful UV radiation. Ozone depletion, weather, and the seasons cause different amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth. The UV Index tells you how much. It predicts the next day's UV levels on a 1-11+ scale that helps you decide what to do to be safe in the sun. You can find out what the UV Index forecast is where you live by visiting this page and entering your zip code. (Provided courtesy of the U.S. EPA)

IMPORTANT LINKS
SunWise Kids UV Index Forecast Map
SunWise Kids Start Page



Event Slide Show
Enhanced Flash (Recommended) -or- Standard
 PHOENIX, AZ
January 11-12, 2008
P.F. Chang's® Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Health & Fitness Expo

Thousands of marathoners readying for the recent P.F. Chang’s Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Phoenix learned how to incorporate sun safety and skin cancer prevention into their daily routine at the recent Health & Fitness Expo, thanks to a dedicated team of local dermatologists representing the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS).
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Women’s Dermatologic Society: Contact Information | About the WDS | Become a WDS Member
General Inquiries: Kerry Parker 1-877-WDS-ROSE | (1-877-937-7673).
Media Inquiries: Nancy FitzGerald (760) 333-9296

“Families Play Safe in the Sun” Campaign Video • WATCH VIDEO NOW
“Families Play Safe in the Sun” Media Clips Video • WATCH VIDEO NOW

PLANO, TX - Friday, September 21 - Sunday, September 23, 2007, Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival
CLEVELAND, OH - July 20-22, 2007, Ingenuity Festival
PHILADELPHIA, PA - June 23-24, 2007, Manayunk Arts Festival
ATLANTA, GA - April 14-15, 2007, Dogwood Festival


The Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS), dedicated to the personal and professional growth of women in dermatology, comprises over 1,300 members nationally and internationally.

As part of the WDS commitment to community service, “Families Play Safe in the Sun” mobilizes the national group’s dermatologist members to reach out into the cities where they work and live in a concerted effort to promote sun safety and good skin health in diverse populations.
  • Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the peak hours for harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
  • When outdoors, use sunscreens rated SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher. Apply them liberally, uniformly, and frequently.
  • When exposed to sunlight, wear sunprotective clothing, broad-brimmed hats, and UV-protective sunglasses.
  • Don’t use artificial tanning devices.
  • The damage that leads to skin cancers starts in childhood. Teach your children good sun protection habits at an early age.
  • See your dermatologist regularly for thorough skin examinations, and learn proper self-examination techniques for times in-between visits.

Teach your family the ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer!

is for asymmetry. Tell your doctor or dermatologist about moles that are asymmetric, or unevenly shaped.

is for border irregularity. Moles are suspicious if they have an irregular shape or fade into the background.

is for color. Moles that have multiple colors in them, or black, red, white or pink moles are of more concern.

is for diameter. Moles greater than six millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser, should be examined.

is for evolving. Any changes you notice over time in a mole’s size, color and shape should be examined by a dermatologist. Painful, crusted or bleeding moles should also be checked.



There is a wealth of Information and resources addressing sun safety and skin cancer prevention topics. Listed below are some very helpful websites which get the “WDS Seal of Approval” for Excellence.
AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® - Sun Safety
American Academy of Dermatology
AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION® - Sun Safety
American Cancer Society
Cancer Information Service
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Coolibar sunAWARE
Dermatology Nurses Association
Environmental Protection Agency
National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention
National Institutes of Health
Skin Cancer Foundation
Sun Protection Education for Children:

AAD Sun Safety Program
Choose Your Cover
EPA SunWise School Program
Skin Cancer Foundation - For Parents
Sun Protection: A Primary Teaching Resource
..(PDF Brochure)
Sun Protection for Children
Sun Safety for Kids



“Families Play Safe in the Sun”
Media Clips Video
Watch this video which highlights network TV coverage on how the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) promotes Sun Safety through “Families Play Safe in the Sun”, a broad-based national campaign, made possible through a generous grant from the 3M Foundation.

WATCH VIDEO NOW

“Families Play Safe in the Sun”
Campaign Video
Watch this video to learn more about how the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) promotes Sun Safety through “Families Play Safe in the Sun”, a broad-based national campaign, made possible through a generous grant from the 3M Foundation.

WATCH VIDEO NOW
Women’s Dermatologic Society to Launch National Sun Safety Program in 15 Cities thanks to $1,000,000 grant from 3M Foundation
In response to the urgent need to curb the U.S. epidemic of skin cancer, the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) will launch a broad-based national campaign to promote sun safety in underserved communities, made possible by a 1 million dollar grant recently awarded by the 3M Foundation. The campaign, “Families Play Safe in the Sun” will provide...
(Full News Release)


WDS Member Committees

WDS Service Committee
WDS Executive Committee




Event Slide Show
Enhanced Flash (Recommended) -or- Standard
 AUSTIN, TX
Sept. 30 - October 1, 2006
Old Pecan Street Festival

Under a bright Texan sun, among bustling crowds of 250,000 Texas students, families and individuals, sun safety awareness reached record heights at the recent Old Pecan St. Fall Arts Festival in Austin, presented by local volunteer members of the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS).
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:



Event Slide Show
Enhanced Flash (Recommended) -or- Standard
 ST. LOUIS, MO
September 2-4, 2006
St. Louis County Fair and Air Show

Among crowds of 150,000 Missouri children and families, sun safety awareness soared at the recent St. Louis County Fair and Air Show, thanks to the volunteer efforts of local dermatologists representing the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) through its national campaign, “Families Play Safe in the Sun”.
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:



Event Slide Show
Enhanced Flash (Recommended) -or- Standard
 CHICAGO, IL
July 22-23, 2006
 Mayor's Cup Soccer Tournament

Aimee Hawrot, MD, Mayor Daley, Anne Laumann, MD, and Ginat Mirowski, MD displaying the proclamation of “Families Play Safe in the Sun” Day in Chicago at the Mayor's Cup Soccer Tournament on July 22, 2006.
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:



Event Slide Show
Enhanced Flash (Recommended) -or- Standard
 DENVER, CO
July 1-3, 2006
 Cherry Creek Arts Festival

In a community where the higher altitude means up to 25% increased levels of harmful UV exposure compared to sea level areas, a team of Denver dermatologist volunteers from the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) reached new heights in community service with its educational campaign, “Families Play Safe in the Sun”.
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:



Event Slide Show
Enhanced Flash (Recommended) -or- Standard
 SAN DIMAS, CA
May 7th, 2006
 LA’s Best at Raging Waters Water Park

On Sunday, May 7th, the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) partnered up with the LA’s Best After School Program on a “Sun Safety Awareness Day” at Raging Waters Amusement Park in San Dimas, CA.
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:



BOCA RATON, FL
May 6, 2006
 “Sun Safety Awareness Day” with Melanoma Foundation

On Saturday, May 6th, the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) partnered up with the Melanoma Foundation on a “Sun Safety Awareness Day” at Boomers in Boca Raton, FL. The event was a follow up to our recent campaign stop at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in Miami.
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:



Event Slide Show
Enhanced Flash (Recommended) -or- Standard
 MIAMI, FL
February 18-20, 2006
 Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Guided by the mission to promote sun safety and good skin health as a way of life for families, the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) reached new heights in community service at the recent Coconut Grove Arts Festival with its educational campaign, “Families Play Safe in the Sun”. This very successful family-oriented outreach at the popular Coconut Grove Arts Festival marked the fourth leg of a 15-city, 3-year campaign made possible by a $1,000,000 grant from the 3M Foundation.
(MORE... )

IMPORTANT LINKS:
Wrap-Up Details Including Photos
(Also Available In PDF)
Pre-Event News Release)
(Also Available In PDF)
(Directions | Map)


Coloring Contest Winners
“Families Play Safe in the Sun”

Here are the coloring contest winners from the first four cities in the 15-city, 3-year WDS “Families Play Safe in the Sun” campaign.
  • Boston Winner:
    Lysandre from Ste. Agathe, Quebec, Canada
  • Minneapolis Winner:
    Grant from Mendota Heights, MN
  • Long Beach Winner:
    Kadi from Long Beach, CA
  • Miami Winner:
    Camila from Weston, FL

    (FULL SIZE IMAGES... )


Watch PSA now at: http://www.4u2c.tv/vnr/page12.html

LONG BEACH, CA
October 27 - 29, 2005
California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women and Families
Public Outreach Days at the Aquarium of the Pacific

In October, record-breaking crowds benefited from the Women’s Dermatologic Society's (WDS) educational outreach and dermatologic assessments at the California Governor and First Lady’s Conference on Women and Families as well as public outreach days at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
Wrap-Up Details Including Photos
Pre-Event Details and Schedule
PSA for "Families Play Safe in the Sun"


MINNEAPOLIS, MN
August 4-6, 2005
Walker Art Center’s “Close-Up on Sun Safety” / Senior PGA 3M Championship in Blaine, MN

Women’s Dermatologic Society Members Spread Sun Safety Education In Twin Cities To Thousands Of Families And Students. The Community service campaign makes successful second stop of 15-city, 3-year national tour in Minnesota; Minneapolis Mayor proclaims “Families Play Safe in the Sun” Day.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
Event Recap News Release (Or In PDF)
Pre-Event News Release (Or in PDF)


BOSTON, MA
June 30 - July 2, 2005
HarborFest "Children's Day"

HarborFest "Children's Day" In Boston A Big Success! WDS launched the “Families Play Safe in the Sun” Educational Outreach Program in Boston June 30-July 2. In two days of community service that marked the national launch of a fifteen-city, three-year Sun Safety tour, a dedicated corps of members of the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) recently volunteered a combined total of 100 hours in Boston, interacting with an estimated 10,000 people in public events at the Boston Harborfest and the New England Aquarium.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
Event Recap News Release (Or in PDF)
Schedule Of Events
Pre-Event News Release (Or in PDF)



Women’s Dermatologic Society
575 Market Street, Suite 2125, San Francisco, CA 94105
Toll-Free: 1-877-WDS-ROSE (937-7673)
Tel: (415) 764-4925 Fax: (415) 764-4933
eMail: wds@womensderm.org | www.playsafeinthesun.org