2012
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| Play Sun Smart™ program launch: |
June 2-3 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Johnny Bench, Baseball Hall of Famer and Cincinnati Reds legend |
How skin cancer affected him:
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Bench was recently diagnosed with and treated for basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, on both of his lower eyelids. With a unique skin cancer surgery called Mohs surgery, he has had a full recovery and is now committed to raising skin cancer awareness. |
2011
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| Play Sun Smart™ Day: |
May 27 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Dallas Braden, pitcher for the Oakland Athletics |
| How skin cancer affected him: |
Braden lost his mother, Jodie Atwood, to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, during his senior year of high school. On Mother’s Day, May 9, 2010, he pitched the 18th perfect game in modern Major League history (since 1900) against the Tampa Bay Rays in Oakland, Calif.
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2010
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| Play Sun Smart™ Day: |
May 28 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Troy Tulowitzki, shortstop for the Colorado Rockies |
| How skin cancer affected him: |
Tulowitzki joined this initiative after experiencing firsthand how serious this disease can be. In February, Troy’s cousin, friend and mentor, Lexy Winters, died of melanoma. Lexy’s death motivated Tulowitzki to dedicate the 2010 season to his cousin and take the time to help raise awareness about skin cancer and its impact. |
2009 – 10th Anniversary
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| Play Sun Smart™ Day: |
May 22 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Dustin Pedroia, second base for the Boston Red Sox and reigning American League MVP |
How skin cancer affected him:
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Pedroia and his wife Kelli have been involved with the Play Sun Smart™ campaign since 2007. Kelli was diagnosed with Stage-2 melanoma in 2002 and has since recovered. They are both active in spreading the message of taking proper precautions before being exposed to the sun.
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2008 – “10 years smarter, 10 years safer”
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| Play Sun Smart™ Day: |
June 21 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Major League Baseball |
| How skin cancer has affected MLB: |
“10 years smarter, 10 years safer” was the overall theme for the 10th year of the Play Sun Smart™ program. As part of the kick-off effort, MLB generously placed a full-page ad in USA Today. “Presenting 30 Ways to Fight Skin Cancer” featured a sun-safe message that highlighted all MLB teams and reached an audience of more than 2.2 million.
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2007
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| Play Sun Smart™ Day: |
June 21 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Johan Santana, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins |
| How skin cancer affected him: |
Santana experienced firsthand how deadly melanoma can be when, Lynn Greenberg the wife of his New York-based agent passed away at the age of 42 from the disease. Lynne and Santana were close; she was present at family events to celebrate his successes and was considered part of Santana’s extended family. Lynne’s death inspired Santana to take time to help raise awareness about the seriousness of this cancer.
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2006
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| Play Sun Smart™ Day: |
June 21 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Mark Loretta, infielder for the Boston Red Sox |
| How skin cancer affected him: |
Loretta was personally touched by skin cancer and learned how important protection against the sun can be. As part of an annual Play Sun Smart™ skin cancer screening, he had a mole diagnosed as a Level 1 melanoma. |
2005
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| Play Sun Smart™ Day: |
June 21 |
| Play Sun Smart™ spokesperson(s): |
Derek Lowe, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers |
| How skin cancer affected him: |
Lowe joined this initiative after being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. |