The evidence is clear, and the costs are high. The number of cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is on the rise, with the odds of being diagnosed today just 1 in 74, a large step up from your chances 30 years ago when it was 1 in 250. But the biggest impact is being felt among young females, where melanoma cases are increasing at a higher rate. This year, these scary statistics hit home for the Midland Jaycees when one of our members was diagnosed with Stage II Malignant Melanoma at just 28 years old. Luckily, she was able to fight off the disease but the over 20,000 people who die annually from skin cancer are not so lucky.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), it only takes one blistering sunburn in childhood to double a person's risk of getting skin cancer. Unfortunately, many of our children go without lifesaving sunscreen because for lower income families, sunscreen is a luxury not a necessity.
In order to combat this deadly disease, the Midland Jaycees will be holding a Sunscreen Drive to help ensure that every child in Midland County has access to sunscreen. Donations made on this site will be used to purchase sunscreen which will be distributed in May to children in need.
Protecting children will save lives and millions of dollars in avoidable health care costs. The estimated total direct cost associated with the treatment of melanoma in 2010 was $2.36 billion. By making a donation, you are helping to be a part of someone's healthy future
