Created by the Nevada Cancer Coalition, Sun Smart Nevada was designed to raise awareness, and encourage Nevadans to adopt sun-safe habits. Resources provided by the Sun Smart Nevada program include tips for preventing exposure to UV radiation along with educating the community about regular skin checks.
Launched in 2015, Sun Smart Nevada has installed over 100 sunscreen dispensers in schools, parks, pools, and other locations in the state. Skin Cancer & Dermatology Institute is proud to partner with Nevada Cancer Coalition to sponsor five sunscreen dispensers in Reno, Sparks, Elko, and Washoe County.
Sunscreen accessibility is vital because even just one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence doubles your risk for developing melanoma when you are older. While accessibility is one important component of the Sun Smart Nevada program, so is encouraging sun-safe habits at a young age. A sunscreen dispenser at a school, park, pool, or community center becomes a daily reminder to use sunscreen much like hand sanitizer dispensers remind us to sanitize our hands regularly. It’s especially important at locations where children will be playing sports in the sun all day long. All it takes is a quick jog over to a yellow dispenser to apply sunscreen before and in between games.
The new sunscreen dispensers sponsored by Skin Cancer & Dermatology Institute can be found at:
- Reno Sports Complex, 2975 N. Virginia Street in Reno
- Deer Park Pool, 1700 E. Prater Way in Sparks
- Bowers Mansion Pool, 4005 Bowers Mansion Road in New Washoe City
- North Valleys Splash Park, 8085 Silver Lake Road in Reno
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko, 782 Country Club Dr. in Elko
“It’s all about access. I really appreciate the Nevada Cancer Coalition and their commitment to keeping our kids safe in Nevada,” declares Dr. Whitney Hovenic, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon. She adds, “So much of the sun damage that leads to skin cancer actually occurs before the age of 18. I am a huge advocate of going outside, but you just need to protect your skin with sunscreen.”