On Saturday, January 16, Baseball Hall of Fame member Mike Schmidt and the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, unveiled Palm Beach County’s first BrightGuard™ Sunscreen Dispenser at the South Florida Fair and encouraged fairgoers to protect themselves from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Schmidt, a Palm Beach County resident who played 18 seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995, made a special appearance at Palm Beach County's exhibit. The 12-time All-Star and three-time National League MVP shared his story about surviving stage 3 melanoma.
“I spent my life in the sun without protection. I am currently a melanoma survivor because I see my dermatologist regularly,” said Schmidt. “I have partnered with the Richard David Kann Foundation whose mission is to increase the awareness and importance of sun safety. This mission, to educate our young and old alike, is a perfect fit for me.”
A baseball theme was prevalent among Palm Beach County Fair exhibits in anticipation of the new spring training stadium in West Palm Beach and tied in to this year’s South Florida Fair theme: Discover The Palm Beaches.
“We think it is vitally important for people of all ages to use our parks and stay active, but also be sun safe,” said Parks and Recreation Director Eric Call.
Fairgoers who visited Parks and Recreation’s exhibit at the Fair learned about the many services provided by the department, but also received SunSmart™ prevention and detection brochures and free sunscreen from the BrightGuard™ Sunscreen Dispenser, courtesy of Katzen Eye Care & Laser Center, before heading out to the midway.
“Parks and Recreation provides safe outdoor sports facilities and opportunities for youth enrichment,” said Lisa Richman, executive director at the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, “and for 20 years the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation has been empowering families to make the necessary sun safe choices for healthy lives while enjoying our beautiful outdoor venues.”
For more information about the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, contact Lisa Richman at (561) 655-9655 or visit www.melanomafoundation.com. The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department operates more than 80 regional, district, community, beach, and neighborhood parks, spanning several thousand acres. Visit www.pbcparks.com to learn about opportunities for healthy, happy living.