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Published August 20, 2008
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Sun Safety this Saturday
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| By Cathy Tyson |
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| Photo provided |
Maybe it was all those years on LMYA swim team as a swimmer then as a coach or perhaps it was water polo at Brown University where she got her undergraduate degree, whatever the reason, Sonia Lamel had a rude wake-up call at age 24 when doctors found a melanoma lesion on her back. This frightening and life-altering experience motivated her to pursue dermatology as a specialty and increase awareness of skin cancer. Along with official sponsors, she’s hosting “Safe from the Sun,” at the Lafayette Community Park this Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m. There will be sun safety information from UV experts, free samples of sunscreens, and raffle prizes along with live entertainment. The event will also feature a kid zone with a moon bounce, face painting and sno-cones. Tax deductible admission is $20 for adults, kids $10 with proceeds going to the Melanoma International Foundation. “Basically I want to give back to the community that’s been such a big part of my life. It was my whole social scene for the summer. I really want to tap into this population that is so vulnerable” she said. Lamel finished two years of medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada and will be starting her clinical rotations at Highland Hospital this week.
For more information go to www.safefromthe sun.org/events. The Lafayette Community Park is located at 480 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette. |
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| Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. More than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year Skin damage from the sun begins at an early age Melanoma represents only 4% of all skin cancers in the U.S. but accounts for more than 75% of all skin cancer deaths. |
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| Reach Cathy Tyson at: cathy@lamorindaweekly.com |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA