IMPACT Melanoma, a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of melanoma, is pleased to announce they have teamed with Emerson Hospital for the third consecutive year to protect residents from skin cancer. The organizations have deployed touchless, automatic sunscreen dispensers at 16 high-traffic locations, including parks and recreation facilities, beaches, rail trails, and athletic fields throughout Concord and the greater area. The dispensers provide complementary sunscreen throughout Acton (at the Discovery Museum), Bedford, Chelmsford, Concord, Harvard, Hudson, Maynard, and Westford.
Jen Melanson, community service coordinator for the Town of Chelmsford, reported after the 2020 season, “The program was so well received, we had positive feedback on social media and from citizens who were very excited and appreciative. We are grateful to Emerson Hospital for providing the dispensers and are excited to support the program again this year.”
“We are pleased to work with Emerson Hospital on this invaluable initiative for the third year,” said Deb Girard, IMPACT’s executive director. “It is imperative to educate communities at all levels — residents, government, employees, and visitors — to create a broad sense of sun-safe practices aimed at healthier lifestyle choices for our skin. With this initiative in motion, we can achieve exactly that with the fleet of free sunscreen dispensers and educational messaging. We are excited and hope that neighboring towns take notice. Together we can make a great ‘IMPACT’ and practice of safe skin.”
Emerson Hospital is sponsoring bright yellow sunscreen dispensers that are filled with SPF 30 sunscreen. The dispensers are monitored regularly and replenished as needed, ensuring that everyone in the area who needs sunscreen has easy access to it. SPF 30 or higher sunscreen is rated and recommended for use by adults and children ages six months and up. All sunscreen ingredients are safe and approved by the FDA.
“Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in our service area, according to our latest Community Health Assessment,” notes Christine Gallery, senior vice president, planning and chief strategy officer at Emerson Hospital. “We are proud to support IMPACT Melanoma again this year so that people throughout our towns can have fun this summer, while easily protecting themselves from skin cancer. We anticipate the community will use the sunscreen often and it will become a routine part of their summer safety regimen. We encourage the community to be in touch with a physician with any questions or concerns about their skin.”
Dispenser Locations
Chelmsford
- Roberts Field, 272 Old Westford Road
- Varney Playground, 45 Varney Avenue
- Heart Pond Beach, Pond Street
Bedford
- Bedford Center Playground, 9 Mudge Way
- Sabourin Field at Bedford High School
- Depot Park, 120 South Road
Concord
- Hunt Recreation Center, 90 Stow Street
- Concord Visitor Center, 58 Main Street
Maynard
- Alumni Field at Maynard High School, 1 Tiger Drive
Hudson
- Riverside Park tennis courts, Chaplain Road
- Assabet River Rail Trail parking area on Main Street
Westford
- Forge Beach, access road off of route 225
- Ronan Mcelliogott Park, 55 Williams Avenue
- East Boston Camps/Stony Brook Conservation Land, 66 Depot Street
Acton
- Discovery Museum, 177 Main Street
Harvard
- Barre Hill Pond Town Beach, Pond Road
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About IMPACT Melanoma
IMPACT is a national non-profit organization dedicated to working to reduce the incidence of melanoma. Committed to skin cancer prevention and early detection, we provide a variety of award-winning programs which aim to raise awareness and educate the public about skin cancer, as well as support services for those struggling with the disease. Visit www.IMPACTMelanoma.org.
About Practice Safe Skin
In response to the surgeon general’s 2014 Call to Action to address skin cancer as a major public concern, IMPACT Melanoma and partner Bright Guard launched a pilot program called Practice Safe Skin during the summer of 2015 to donate free sunscreen throughout Boston parks and Massachusetts beaches at no cost to taxpayers. Following the success of the pilot program, the Practice Safe Skin initiative is expanding to offer cities and businesses across the country the ability to purchase and provide this public safety program. For more information, visit www.IMPACTMelanoma.org/practice-safe-skin/, call 1-800-557-6352, or email info@IMPACTMelanoma.org.
