How Gardner residents are getting increased access to sunscreen

Gardner officials have a new initiative aimed at helping keep residents safe in the sun this summer.

The city has installed public sunscreen dispensers at two locations where people generally get a lot of sun - the Greenwood Memorial Pool and Spray Park and the Dog Park at Pulaski Playground. The sunscreen is available for free.

The automatic dispensers, which contain sunscreen with an SPF of 30, were paid for by a Fitchburg-based Montachusett Public Health Network grant, according to Gardner's Director of Public Health Micah Blondeau, who said the city was one of several local communities that received public dispensers.

City officials determined the public pool and playground/dog park would be ideal spots to put the dispensers, according to Blondeau.

"The two locations were chosen based on the amount of foot traffic and the likelihood that they would be used," he said. "We are also planning on having more (dispensers) available on a temporary basis for public events such as the upcoming food truck festival."

What do the sunscreen dispensers cost

Blondeau said the health network partnered with IMPACT Melanoma, a national non-profit dedicated to skin cancer prevention and education, to encourage the adoption of healthy sun habits and increase awareness of the dangers of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.

"The project is funded through the MPHN via the (state's) Public Health Excellence program, and we anticipate renewing this project on a yearly basis as long as it is found to be effective and sustainable," Blondeau said.

Health network staff will maintain the dispensers.

The MPHN project is providing free sunscreen at over 40 local recreation sites, including parks, playgrounds, pools, and beaches in Hubbardston, Phillipston, Templeton, and Winchendon.

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How to protect yourself from melanoma

Blondeau said increased public access to sunscreen was important because melanoma caused over 7,000 deaths each year in the United States, the vast majority of which were related to sun exposure.

In addition to using sunscreen, public health officials recommend wearing a hat, sunglasses, protective clothing, and staying in the shade as effective ways to prevent exposure to harmful sun rays.

Officials also remind the public that while skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, it is also 99% curable when detected early.

"Early detection is a critical factor as the five-year survival rate falls from 98% with early detection to 62% when the disease reaches the lymph nodes, and 18% when the disease spreads to other organs in the body," Blondeau said.