FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Perth County ̶ If you are out and about this summer but forgot to apply sunscreen, we’ve got you covered! This summer, the Perth District Health Unit has partnered with numerous organizations across Perth County to provide 34 sunscreen dispensers in 24 high-foot traffic outdoor areas across the County. This project was made possible by a generous $2800 grant from the John and Colleen MacDonald Family Fund held by the Stratford Perth Community Foundation.
“With this project, we hope to promote sunscreen use for our residents and visitors and help prevent sunburns, which have been linked to an increased risk of skin cancers,” says Karen Bergin-Payette, Public Health Nurse. “Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and it’s also one of the most preventable. The Health Unit is excited about this new and innovative way to make sunscreen use easy and accessible.”
Free sunscreen dispensers have been placed at the following locations:
In Stratford
- Lions Pool (change rooms)
- Upper Queen’s Park (public washrooms)
- Allman Arena (public washrooms)
- YMCA main branch (204 Downie St.)
- Paddle Boat Rentals and the Stratford Tourism Visitors Centre on York Street
- The Local Community Food Centre
In St. Marys
- Quarry (change rooms)
- Pyramid Recreation Centre (entrance by the Splash Pad)
In Perth South
- St. Pauls Recreation Centre
- Kirkton Woodham Pool (change rooms)
In West Perth
- Lions Pool (change rooms)
In Perth East
- Perth East Recreation Complex Pool (change rooms)
- Shakespeare Opti-Mrs. Park (public washrooms)
In North Perth
- Listowel Kinsmen Pool (change rooms)
- Atwood Lions Pool (change rooms)
In addition to the mounted sunscreen dispensers, the Ontario Early Years Centres in Perth County and the City of Stratford Parks and Recreation Summer Camp program have been provided with portable sunscreen dispensers that can be taken to programming or events within the community. “We want to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors safely and take the necessary steps to prevent skin cancer before it happens, by making sunscreen use a convenient and easy part of their daily routine,” says Bergin-Payette.
For more information:
- Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267
- Visit www.pdhu.on.ca
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @PDHealthUnit
Photo of sunscreen dispenser board