By Linda Redding

Author and founder of the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation Maryellen Maguire- Eisen, stopped by Silver Lake Regional High School to do a SunAWARE presentation for students in Bernie Cotter’s Meteorology class.  She took time to answer questions about her newly published books that teach children to have fun and be safe in the sun.

What was your motivation to start a foundation to help empower students to protect themselves against dangerous UV rays?

As an oncology nurse, I have always been upset by deaths due to skin cancer.  I started the Foundation to teach children about sun protection and skin cancer prevention.  Melanoma, the deadly form of skin cancer, is becoming all too common in teenagers and young adults.  We teach because we know that kin cancer is preventable and curable if caught early.  We hope to make a difference in this disease.

Your SunAWARE presentations are very interactive.  What are the goals of your program?

Everyone loves to be outside in the sun.  I believe that you can enjoy the outdoors and not get sun damage.  We teach students practical information about UV intensity, skin sensitivity, proper sun protection and skin cancer recognition.  In my experience most people do not know what the UV Index means, what SPF means, how much sunscreen is required to protect the skin or what skin cancer looks like.   We want students to understand UV light so that they can protect themselves from premature aging and skin cancer. I believe that having fun in the classroom is the best way to educate students about this important health issue.

Through your recently published books, your message will reach more and more students.  Tell us about the books.

The SunAWARE BOOK PROGRAM includes five original publications by foundation staff and colleagues.

Skin Sense by Lori Glickman is a fun and interactive narrative that educates young children about the sun’s damaging rays and teaches children how to protect their skin.  It is a wonderful book to open discussion about sun safety. Designed for children from 4-8.

What Are Theses Spots On My Skin by Scott & Gus Naughton was designed to encourage children to examine their skin and to pay attention to changes. It teaches children that they are not born with freckles, that they develop them after exposure to the sun. It teaches children to recognize the difference between moles and freckles and it provides information for children to recognize important changes in their skin. Designed for children from 5 -8.

Lake Vacation by Mary Barrow and Maryellen Maguire-Eisen teaches the principles of proper sun protection to adolescents.  The book centers on a fishing excursion on the first day of spring break.  A lively discussion by the children about the application of the SunAWARE lessons, that they learned prior to spring break, provides the storyline for this book.  Designed for children 8- 12.

Pretty Prom: Your Skin is Pretty Too by Mary Barrow and Maryellen Maguire-Eisen is the story of a teenage girl who finds out the sad facts about indoor tanning while preparing for the prom. Designed for children 10-16.

Sun Protection for Life by Mary and John Barrow, winner of the 2005 American Academy of Dermatology Golden Triangle Award for Public Education, is appropriate for children 10-18.  It is also an excellent teacher resource. It provides everything you should know about sun protection and skin cancer.

The presentation reinforced important safety tips:

-Keep track of the daily UV index.  Anything above 3 requires precautions.

-Generously apply sunscreen

-Hats should cover your ears

-UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

-Tanning booth lights have dangerous skin damaging UV rays.

For more information, please visit:

The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation http://www.melanomaprevention.org/

SunWise-Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/sunwise

Additional information and ordering is available at www.sunaware.org/publications

Linda Redding, Library Teacher
Silver Lake Regional High School
Kingston, MA 02364
781-585-3844 x2418
www.slrsd.org/slrhs/library

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