SALEM — On Thursday, the North Shore Practice Safe Skin Collaboration between IMPACT Melanoma and select cities in the North Shore held a kick-off event amid the sweltering heat.
Clothing with SPF built into it was available to the public for free, as were slush cups. IMPACT Melanoma also held surveys that people could fill out in return for a gift bag.
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll spoke at the event, praising the partnership as a key way to keep residents safe this summer and in the future as temperatures rise.
“With intense heat like this and the climate crisis, we’re going to have more days like this,” she said. “This partnership will ensure that we have 70 sunscreen dispensers throughout many communities on the North Shore.”
“Programs like this, easily dispensable and right in your own communities in a public space, means that we can protect more of our families and make sure they’re staying safe and healthy while they’re enjoying the beautiful New England summer,” Driscoll continued.
The city’s health agent, David Greenbaum said he had a personal connection to the initiative.
“Back in January, my doctor examined a spot on my arm that he had examined for probably 40 years. This year he said, ‘hey, that looks a little bit different than what I’ve seen in the past, I think you should have that checked out by a dermatologist.’ The following Friday after that appointment I saw the dermatologist and he said ‘we need to biopsy that.’ I was a little bit shocked, I thought for sure he was going to tell me it was nothing,” Greenbaum said. “But, they did the biopsy, and the following week he called me and said that it is in fact melanoma.”
Greenbaum has since had the cancerous cells removed, but noted he will “have a changed life because of that.”
IMPACT Melanoma Executive Director Deb Girard urged residents to avoid tanning.
“Sunburns are one of the leading causes of skin cancers and melanoma. Anytime your skin changes color, you impact the DNA,” Girard added.
After the speaking portion of the event ended, Girard handed out frisbees that change color in the sun. Out of the sun, it’s white, but upon ultraviolet light exposure, it becomes purple. This change of color can alert people of the UV they’re exposed to, and promote safe behavior. When coming to the realization that the frisbee changed color, Girard hopes it will make people consider stepping out of the sun or putting on protective gear such as hats or sunglasses.
In Salem, the following locations will implement free sunscreen dispensers: Dead Horse Beach, Willows Pier, Forest River Pool, Pioneer Village, Waikiki Beach, Olde Salem Greens Golf Course, Community Gardens at Palmer Cove, and the On Point Building.
Dorothy Irrera can be reached at [email protected].
