Nearly $40,000 raised for skin cancer prevention and detection through "Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™"

ROSEMONT, Ill. (Oct. 14 2019) — This fall, a group of skin cancer advocates and their families and friends in both Chicago and Phoenix hiked three miles to say “Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!” Together, they raised nearly $40,000 for SPOT Skin Cancer™ benefiting the American Academy of Dermatology’s skin cancer prevention and detection programs, including free skin cancer screenings, sunscreen dispensers, and permanent shade structures in outdoor spaces where children learn and play.

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting one in five Americans in their lifetime,” says board-certified dermatologist George J. Hruza, MD, MBA, FAAD, president of the AAD. “It’s inspiring and encouraging to see so many members of these communities come together to support the fight against skin cancer.”

It is estimated that more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—every day. In Illinois and Arizona alone, it is estimated that there will be 6,090 new cases of melanoma this year.

Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™ is part of the AAD’s SPOT Skin Cancer™ campaign to reduce mortality from and the incidence of skin cancer through public awareness, community outreach programs and services, and advocacy that promote the prevention, detection, and treatment of skin cancer. Thanks to the campaign’s dedicated donors and hikers, Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™ has helped provide nearly 370,000 free skin cancer screenings for the public and built nearly 120 shade structures that protect as many as 1.8 million people daily.

“The number of people with skin cancer in the U.S. continues to grow, so efforts to prevent skin cancer and detect it early are critical,” says Dr. Hruza. “We are so grateful for our sponsors and our hikers for taking a stand against skin cancer and supporting these life-saving programs.”

Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™ is generously supported by national sponsors Henry Schein Medical, Dermstore, The Allergan Foundation, and Marmur Metamorphosis. Local sponsors for the events in Chicago and Phoenix also include Castle Biosciences, Derick Dermatology, Arlington Dermatology, Lakeside Dermatology, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, and Sanofi Genzyme.

Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™ will hold one more fundraising hike this year on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Los Angeles. Participants are encouraged to register in advance at aad.org/CAHike and can sign up as a team captain, join a team, or register to walk as an individual.

To learn more about Skin Cancer, Take a Hike! ™ or to donate, visit www.aad.org/SCTAH.

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Contacts Nicole Dobkin, ndobkin@aad.org Cristina Mutchler, cmutchler@aad.org

About the AAD Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 20,000 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow the AAD on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology), Twitter (@AADskin), Instagram (@AADskin1), or YouTube (AcademyofDermatology).

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Nearly $40,000 raised for skin cancer prevention and detection through "Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™"

Registration begins today at 12 pm noon (CT) for physician members, life members, and honorary members.