April 03, 2007

'SunWise with SHADE' poster contest raises skin cancer awareness

Source:  NYSUT News Wire

SunWise with SHADE Poster ContestThe New York State Department of Health is inviting teachers and their students to participate in the SHADE Foundation's 2007 National Poster Contest, "SunWise with SHADE." Children in grades kindergarten through 8 are eligible to enter.

Being SunWise is important because half of all cancers in the United States are skin cancers, say SHADE Foundation leaders, and one in five Americans will develop this disease during their lifetime. Encouraging children to follow the SunWise action steps at a young age decreases their chances of developing skin cancer later in life.

The SHADE Foundation has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide teachers with the classroom activities and educational resources included in the teacher's guide. Students participating in the contest should include at least five of the SunWise action steps listed on page 5 of the teacher's guide in their poster. Entries are categorized by grade level and judged on creativity and originality. Poster entries should be original artwork on an 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper and be attached to the official entry form found on page 7.

The deadline for entry was recently extended to April 27, 2007.

Contest rules and teacher's handbook

Entry Deadline

  • April 27, 2007

Prize Levels

  • State Prize: $250 savings bond, plus a $500 SHADE grant for winner's school. The New York state Winner will also receive at least two tickets to a New York Yankees home baseball game.
  • Regional Prize: Each regional winner will receive a $500 United States Savings Bond as well as a $2,500 grant from the SHADE Foundation for his/her school to use for sun safety initiatives.
  • National Prize: A trip for four to Disney World (or something comparable), and a $5,000 SHADE grant for the winner's school.

For more information

For more information about this contest or skin cancer prevention please visit the NYSDOH's web site at www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/cancer/skin/ or contact Roxanne Brady, Public Education and Special Projects Coordinator, at the Bureau of Chronic Disease Services at 518-474-1222 or by e-mail at rnj02@health.state.ny.us.

Be SunWise and limit the sun, not the fun!