LEXINGTON CLINIC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES

"Love Your Skin–Use Your Sunscreen"
Summer-Long Public Service Initiative

Lexington, KY. (June 11, 2008)–In a concerted effort to make Lexingtonians of all ages more keenly aware of the eminent dangers of unprotected exposure to the summer sun's rays, the Lexington Clinic Foundation announced its multi-faceted public awareness campaign today, on site at the South Broadway Clinic's Garden of Hope.

According to Dr. James B. Hunter, the Foundation's Board Chair, "the need for enjoying the sunshine safely is a very important one since the sun's rays can cause skin cancer (melanoma) and if left undetected or untreated, melanoma can kill." Dr. Hunter added that since children and young adults are more prone to over-exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, this "Love Your Skin—Use Your Sunscreen" awareness campaign will be targeted at that population. Additionally, he noted that the statistical incidence of skin cancer in the Central Kentucky area is higher than that of the Commonwealth over all. According to the Kentucky Cancer Registry, skin cancer (melanoma) rates for Central Kentucky are higher than those of the state overall. Central Kentucky's rates ranged from 23.55 to 38.34 incidents per l00,000 people, versus the Commonwealth's overall rate of 20.60 /100,000 for the years 2001–2005.

Board member Janet Craig, Esq., detailed the specifics of the campaign, which will begin in mid–June and continue through back-to-school time in August. "We've created a bright sunshine mascot character, and it will be making appearances all over the city at pools and parks, at Applebee's Park/Lexington Legends' games, the Fourth of July parade, at Thursday Night Live gatherings downtown, the Woodland Arts Fair and other locations where our target audience members or their parents/influencers may be gathered." Ms. Craig noted that the mascot will be accompanied by attendants who will be distributing both free samples of broad-spectrum photo stable sunscreen and colorful sun visors." We were really pleased that AVEENO® agreed to support our sun safe initiative by providing us with a significant number of samples of both AVEENO® Baby CONTINUOUS PROTECTION®* and AVEENO® CONTINOUS PROTECTION® Sunblock Lotion with SPF 55 which we'll be passing out, city-wide." She added that there will be 6 prominently displayed billboards posted around the city, to reinforce the campaign's message.

The not-for-profit Lexington Clinic Foundation has undertaken this public service initiative at a time when potential danger of over-exposure to the sun's rays is at its annual peak. For additional information on sun damage to the skin, call 859.258.6116. And, be certain to visit the Foundation's display booth at the Downtown Lexington Fourth of July celebration, as well as to watch for the appearance of the sunshine mascot.

*AVEENO® and ACTIVE NATURALS® are registered trademarks of the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Skillman, NJ.

Informational booth at Lexington's downtown holiday celebration:

On July 4th, the Lexington Clinic Foundation hosted an informational booth at Lexington's downtown holiday celebration.   Drs. John Cronin and James Hunter and their wives, as well as members of the Clinic's marketing team gave out over 5000 FREE samples of  both Aveeno 55spf sunscreen ( provided by Johnson & Johnson), and 'love your skin' sun visors.  "Sunny" the initiative's popular mascot, participated in the traditional downtown parade as well.

Facts about sun exposure:

The sun radiates light to the earth, and within that light source are invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they cause tanning, burning, and other serious skin damage. UV rays react with a substance called melanin that is found in human skin. Melanin absorbs dangerous UV rays before the rays do serious damage. Melanin is found in different concentrations and colors, resulting in different skin colors—the lighter your natural skin color, the less melanin it has to absorb UV and to protect itself. The darker your natural skin color, the more melanin the skin has to protect itself. But, both dark and light-skinned kids need protection from UV rays, because any tanning or burning may cause skin damage.

As melanin increases in response to sun exposure, skin tans. A sunburn develops when the amount of UV exposure to the skin is greater than what can be protected against by the skin's melanin.

Sunscreen Facts:

What matters most in a sunscreen is the degree of protection from UV rays it provides. SPF (sun protection factor) is the number listed on the sunscreen packaging. The higher the number, the more protection it provides. For sunscreen to do its job, it must be applied correctly:

• Apply it 30 minutes before going out in the sun so a good layer of protection can form.
• Be sure to use it on lips, hands, ears, feet, shoulders and behind the neck. Don't forget to apply it beneath bathing suit straps.
• Re-apply sunscreen at least every 2–3 hours and more frequently if your skin is sweating, or has been in the water.
• Use waterproof sunscreen on children who are swimming.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that all children, regardless of their skin tone, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and even skin cancer. Even people in their 20's can develop skin cancer.

Most children accumulate between 50-80% of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of l8, so it's VERY important for parents to teach thier kids how to enjoy fun in the sun safely, by protecting all exposed skin areas with the appropriate SPF of sun screen.

According to the Kentucky Cancer Registry, skin cancer (melanoma) rates for Central Kentucky are higher than those of the state overall. Central Kentucky's rates ranged from 23.55 to 38.34 incidents per l00,000 people, versus the Commonwealth's overall rate of 20.60 /100,000 for the years 2001–2005.