For sun worshipper Shonda Schilling, being diagnosed with Stage 2 melanoma was an unbelievable shock and a
life-changing wake up call to the dangers of too much sun. As a result, Shonda and her husband Curt Schilling -- former
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher -- founded the Shade Foundation in a mission to eradicate melanoma through the education of
children and the community in the prevention and detection of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety. The Shade Foundation provides shade structures for recreational areas on school grounds, and offers an extensive online resource of educational information and programs to raise awareness for sun safety. According to the American Academy of Dermatology and Shade Foundation, skin cancer is an unrecognized epidemic. Statistically, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer, and the diagnosis of younger adults with skin cancer has increased sharply. Half of all new cancers in the United States are skin cancers.
To be sun safe when going outdoors, they recommend sunscreen, a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses. And stay away from tanning beds -- because occasional yet intense UVA exposure from tanning beds actually poses a greater risk of melanoma skin cancer than does spending long hours in the sun. To learn more about sun safe activities for kids and young adults, programs, educational materials, and creating shade, visit the Shade Foundation.










