On Saturday, Jan. 16, Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt and the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, will encourage sun safety and unveil Palm Beach County’s first BrightGuard Sunscreen Dispenser at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Schmidt, a Palm Beach County resident who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995. The 12-time All-Star and three-time winner of the National League’s Most Valuable Player award, will make a special appearance in the Expo Center East from 10 to 11 a.m. to draw attention to the potentially deadly effects of overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays.
“I spent my life in the sun without protection. I am currently a melanoma survivor because I see my dermatologist regularly,” Schmidt said. “I have partnered with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, whose mission is to increase the awareness and importance of sun safety. This mission, to educate young and old alike, is a perfect fit for me.”
This year’s South Florida Fair theme is “Discover The Palm Beaches” and will focus on the many things to do and see in Palm Beach County. A baseball theme will be prevalent among Palm Beach County fair exhibits in anticipation of the new spring training stadium to be built in the near future.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation’s exhibit to receive SunSmart prevention and detection brochures and information about Palm Beach County’s park system, and to apply free sunscreen before heading out to the midway.
“Together, we can make a greater difference in the health and well-being of families by striking out melanoma,” said Lisa Richman, executive director at the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation. “Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation provides safe outdoor sports facilities and opportunities for youth enrichment, 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, call Richman at (561) 655-9655 or visit www.melanomafoundation.com.
