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Destination Healthy Skin, The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Mobile Education and Screening Program, Wraps up Its 2021 Journey
40 volunteer dermatologists provided 920 free skin cancer screenings in 21 communities.
New York, NY (December 8, 2021) – Destination Healthy Skin, The Skin Cancer Foundation’s mobile skin cancer education and screening program, has concluded its fourth annual drive around the U.S. Local volunteer dermatologists conducted 920 free skin cancer screenings aboard the Foundation’s 38-foot Destination Healthy Skin RV. Approximately 4,000 participants attended events around the country and received The Skin Cancer Foundation’s educational materials and skin care product samples.
After a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program returned this year with precautions to protect against the virus and keep both attendees and physicians safe. The RV traveled more than 9,000 miles between August and November, making stops for educational events in New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, DC, and finally Pennsylvania. Forty dermatologists teamed up to donate more than 146 hours of free, full-body skin exams at Destination Healthy Skin events. The dermatologists identified 195 potential skin cancers and precancers, 10 of which were suspected melanomas.
“During the pandemic, people may have missed or postponed scheduled skin cancer screenings and I have personally seen more advanced skin cancers over the past year,” says Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “Bringing back Destination Healthy Skin allowed us to provide a vital public health service for those who may not have had the opportunity or means to get screened during these challenging times.”
When doctors find and remove skin cancers early, before they’ve had a chance to spread, they are easier to treat and lead to better outcomes for patients. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends all adults see a dermatologist at least once a year for a skin exam while consistently checking their skin at home for anything new, changing or unusual.
This year’s events were made possible in part by generous support from EltaMD; ScarAway; EMD Serono and Pfizer; Merck; Almirall; Genentech, a Roche company; The Sunshine Foundation; and The Lynne Waxman Foundation. Though every type of support is integral to Destination Healthy Skin, the program’s success relies on the generous donations of time and expertise by volunteer physicians across the country. The Foundation is incredibly grateful to the dermatologists who volunteered this year:
Morayo Adisa, MD
Martha Arroyo, MD
Brian Bailey, MD
Aly Barland, MD
Kate Braunlich, DO
Alina Bridges, DO
Liza Brown, DO
Mary Ruth Buchness, MD
Jeaneen Chappell, MD
Barbara Cortez, DO
Dekker Deacon, MD
Dayna Diven, MD
Zachary Eyre, MD
Adam Friedman, MD
Beth Goldstein, MD
Elizabeth K. Hale, MD
Carsten Hamann, MD
Ryan Holzwarth, MD
Erum Ilyas, MD
Jesse Jensen, MD
Julie K. Karen, MD
Bobby Joe Kennedy, DO
Neelam Khan, MD
Saakshi Khattri, MD
Henry H. Lim, MD
Lauren Madigan, MD
Katherine Martin, MD
Lauren Moy, MD
Ariel Ostad, MD
Neill T. Peters, MD
Adelle Quintana, MD
Ross Radusky, MD
Nahid Shahrooz , MD
Lisa Stirling, MD
Karen Stolman, MD
Mohiba Tareen, MD
Carol Trakimas, MD
Daneeque Woolfolk, MD
Mark Zalla, MD
Yan Isabel Zhu, MD
Dermatologists interested in helping their communities may visit DestinationHealthySkin.org/volunteer for more information on getting involved. The Skin Cancer Foundation is currently planning the 2022 Destination Healthy Skin event schedule.
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About The Skin Cancer Foundation
The Skin Cancer Foundation saves and improves lives by empowering people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer. The mission of the Foundation is to decrease the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and research. Since its inception in 1979, the Foundation has recommended following a complete sun protection regimen that includes seeking shade and covering up with clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, in addition to daily sunscreen use. For more information, visit SkinCancer.org.
Contact:
Ali Venosa
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646.583.7979
