The CHOC Cancer Institute is pleased to announce a new partnership with the National Melanoma Awareness Project and the UCI School of Medicine.

The National Melanoma Awareness Project began as an expansion of the Joel Myres Melanoma Awareness Project which was initiated in 2003 with a group of UCI medical students interested in teaching local teens about skin cancer.

Today with the support of the Children's Hospital of Orange County, the UCI School of Medicine and along with other community based partnerships, the organization has grown to continue the mission and goals of The National Melanoma Awareness Project. This affiliation is funded by the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

The goal of the National Melanoma Awareness Project aims to educate students and their teachers in grades 6-12 about the suns effects on skin, sun protection, and skin cancers with an emphasis on early detection of melanoma.

The partnership with the CHOC Cancer Institute provides access to the local school districts through the community outreach efforts already established. The CHOC Cancer Institute Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) Program offers specialized cancer treatment designed for teens and young adults. As part of its mission, the CHOC Cancer Institute offers education on cancer awareness and prevention. Melanoma is the most prevalent type of cancer in oncology patients ages 20-29. Melanoma is associated with sun exposure, 80% of which we get before the age of 18.

The Spot A Spot Save A Life program provides education on sun protection, skin cancer, early detection of melanoma and self screening. Medical and pre-medical students present the information at the school site.

Contact Ali Ansary , Community Health Program Manager at 714-585-8709 or aansary@choc.org to arrange a presentation at your school.

www.spotaspot.org