These are the sad statistics.
Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is the second most common form of cancer in young people between the ages of 10-19, and the most common cancer for people between the ages 20-30.
As outdoor athletes, lacrosse players are at an increased risk for sunburn and melanoma due to extended sun exposure, especially if proper precautions are not taken.
Helping to inform, educate and protect members of the lacrosse community about this important health issue is part of USA Lacrosse’s commitment for a safer sport.
To bring greater sun safety awareness to lacrosse players, in 2019 USA Lacrosse joined forces with the Claire Marie Foundation, the only non-profit in the United States to focus exclusively on the prevention of melanoma in adolescents and young adults.
Now, in recognition of May being Melanoma Awareness Month, USA Lacrosse is pleased to announce that the two organizations are extending their strategic alliance and will continue to work collaboratively to bring awareness and education about the disease, as well as prevention programs.
“It’s critical for young athletes and their parents, especially in a sport played outdoors, to understand the risks of sun exposure,” said Steve Stenersen, CEO of USA Lacrosse. “Our partnership with the Claire Marie Foundation will raise awareness of this important issue, as well as the safety measures available to assure protection and prevention.”
Statistics indicate that almost 90% of melanoma cases develop as early as 10 years of age.
“At the Claire Marie Foundation we are thrilled to renew and strengthen this amazing partnership with USA Lacrosse in our mission to prevent the development of melanoma in adolescents and young adults,” said Marianne Banister, co-founder and CEO of the Claire Marie Foundation.
Banister’s commitment to this cause is fueled by a personal loss that she and her husband, Rocky Wagonhurst, experienced.
The Claire Marie Foundation was established following the death of their daughter, Claire Marie Wagonhurst, a sparkling 17-year-old lacrosse player who lost a long battle with adolescent melanoma as a result of changes her body went through during puberty.
“As a lacrosse family, we know well the power of the USA Lacrosse community and the commitment of this organization to the health and fitness of its members. By working together, we can keep young athletes safe while playing in the sun and reduce the chance that they, like our Claire, will have to give up the sport they love to treat a melanoma diagnosis they don’t deserve,” Banister said.
With the average NCAA outdoor athlete spending at least four hours per day, ten months a year training or competing outdoors, sun safety measures are critically important. Research has shown that sweating increases the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation and may increase the risk of sunburn and sun damage.
Playing sun safe includes consistent application of liquid sunscreen, wearing UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) 50 clothing that blocks damaging rays from reaching the skin, and getting annual screenings by a licensed dermatologist.
About the Claire Marie Foundation
The Claire Marie Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting against adolescent and young adult melanoma through awareness, education, and prevention. Every action CMF takes is designed to help save lives, whether it’s through free skin screenings or its one-of-a-kind Collegiate Ambassador program. Get more information at clairemariefoundation.org/.
