Toledo, Ohio Based Girl Scout Troop Work with Local Dermatologist to Make IMPACT in Community Park
On Saturday, May 11th, Epworth Community Girl Scout Troop 12168 from Toledo, Ohio will be making an IMPACT in their community by banding together with IMPACT Melanoma – a national nonprofit organization – to initiate the installation of an automatic sunscreen dispenser in Wildwood Park (as part of IMPACT’s “Practice Safe Skin” program). The troop is actively engage in doing good in their community, and are hoping that this initiative helps spread awareness in support of proper skin care, and the notion that skin cancer is a serious detriment to human health (1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their life). Sunscreen is a proper preventative measure when it comes to practicing safe skin.
To that point, local business Anders Dermatology has stepped up to the plate to sponsor the initiative and are proud to be helping in this forward thinking movement:
“We are so excited at Anders Dermatology to be part of this new sunscreen dispenser at Wildwood Metropark,” said Anders Dermatology M.D. Ana M. Thompson. “In 2019, over 96,000 new cases of melanoma are expected and about 7,000 of these patients will die. In the United States 2 million annually are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer and we are seeing an increase in both men and women under the age of 50. These trends will be magnified if we do not stress the importance of sun protection. The best remedy for the escalating incidence of skin cancer is through the use of sun protective wear and sunscreen. Ideally, sunscreen should be used in areas which you cannot protect with clothing or hats. It should be applied at least 15 minutes prior to going outside. This allows time for the sunscreen to bond to the skin. Sunscreen should be broad spectrum, water resistant and at least an SPF of 30. Reapplication is imperative at least every 2 hours. Studies have shown a 40% reduction in pre-cancer and cancer in those individuals who use sunscreen daily when compared to discretionary users. These are users who only apply the sunscreen when they think they will be outside. It is best to use sunscreen daily. As we often say at Anders Dermatology, ‘Rain, snow, shine- sunscreen all the time.’”
Wildwood Park – a facility which welcomes some 1.4 million visitors annually, are pleased that they’re being graced by the inclusion of this dispenser on their grounds…
“We’re super excited about having this sunscreen dispenser in our park,” said Wildwood’s Parks Services Supervisor, Anthony Amstutz. We’re the first in the district to offer a free sunscreen dispensing unit which enables people who may have forgotten their sunscreen to utilize this invaluable resource. We hope that others like us get involved as well because this is what I believe is an imperative service for our visitors. We’re so thankful to Janice and the Girl Scouts for bringing this idea to us, and are humbled to have this dispenser on our grounds, which we’ll see through by taking good care of, and maintaining it, and working alongside Anders Dermatology to ensure the longevity of its stay here.”
IMPACT Melanoma caught up with Janice French, one of the invaluable troop leader volunteers who played a key role in the idea and acquisition of this dispenser:
Why did the Girls Scout Troop 12168 decide that installing a sunscreen in their community would be a beneficial thing to do? How’d you learn about the organization? What led you to reach out?
I’ve been a Girl Scout troop leader for six years now. Alongside fellow troop leaders Joelle Huber and Rachael Stark, we are always looking for ideas for the scouts to get more hands on experience. Our troop is unique in the sense that we focus on “doing” more than “talking.” Our group is a K-12 troop designed to put our words into action through community involvement. Each year we do something to give back to the community. Every year we discuss ways to help people in our community but also leave our “mark” as well. Our goal is to inspire others to follow our ideas and pass them on. As troop leaders we try to give suggestions to the girls but we do not drive the ideas. We guide them. In one of our group discussions the scouts talked about sunscreen at the parks and how “cool it would be to have it for free.”
That one suggestion from our young troop sparked troop leaders to do some research. In our research we found a school in Florida who had installed sunscreen dispensers on its playground. When the troop leaders approached the Girl Scouts with the idea the girls were excited. Charged with energy, they asked the leaders to make some calls on their behalf to research the project. The average age of our troop is 8 so this was an exciting concept for them.
Three of the girls in the troop are my daughters. Killeen (11) Ronan (9) and Fallon (8). All three have different versions of red in their hair and they are proud to boast that they are Irish Americans with different shades of ivory skin. The girls come from a long line of skin cancer survivors. They know the importance of going to the Freckle Counting Doctor (aka the dermatologist). This project is near and dear to their hearts because their grandmother has had skin cancer and just a few years ago we lost our beloved cousin John Killeen to skin cancer.
Our troop tries to make a difference in the community no matter how small the gesture. We have made ornaments for the veterans during the holidays, donated baskets to the first girl born at a local hospital on Girl Scout Founders Day, hosted Ice Cream socials at the Ronald McDonald house, made no- sew blankets for the homeless, kindness rocks were painted one year for the community, participated in Wreaths Across America every year, rang the bell for the Salvation Army, and one year we hosted a Trunk or Treat to benefit Veterans Matters that houses homeless vets.
Reaching out to IMPACT Melanoma for this particular project was just another way for the troop to give back to the community The troop is extremely excited to be sponsoring this dispenser with Anders Dermatology, and Wildwood Preserve.
What does it mean to you that this type of organization (IMPACT) exists?
I love that fact that IMPACT exists. Our hope is that by installing this dispenser, others will follow our lead. As Girl Scout troop leaders we are molding women leaders, but are also engaging the girls to think and put ideas into action. We have discussed the many aspects of this simple yet dynamic dispenser with the troop. In Ohio, people do not think about sunscreen on a daily basis. When you live in Florida or Texas or someplace continuously warm it’s something that is used constantly. Our hope is that we will help to change the outlook people have on sunscreen but also look at this dispenser’s potential. This isn’t just a sunscreen dispenser; this is an object that another child will look at someday and say, ‘if the Girl Scouts were able to put this together for our community, what can I do for our community?’
In getting geared up for the acquisition of this dispenser, what kind of lessons / education were the Girl Scout Troop involved in that led them to want to acquire this dispenser?
The dispenser money from the Girl Scouts was raised by cookie sales. The sale of cookies is educational to begin with but the lessons are invaluable. They learn leadership, money management, communication, and goal setting. When we tried to figure out where to go to install the dispenser the scouts learned standard business values (on different levels). They learned that negotiations can be difficult and sometimes fall through. There will be disappointment, but if you push through and be patient you can reach your goals.
What’s your personal battle cry when it comes to the usage of sunscreen?
My personal battle cry when it comes to sunscreen usage is that it is a must. No matter your race, color, background, etc. Skincare is something that people need to be aware of regardless of the shade of their skin. Education is key and it could save a life. I send the girls to school with hats and sunscreen whenever possible. I remind them to wear their freckles like badges of honor but remember to polish the badges so they are protected for a lifetime.
What’s the significance of Wildwood Park? Why is this “the place”?
Wildwood is “the place” for sure. It’s centrally located in Toledo and has many trails and parks. Wildwood is significant to the troop. Our Girl Scout troop is one of a kind in the area. We have members from all over Northwest Ohio and even Michigan. They are not aligned with one school. The girls come to us looking to be involved in community awareness and actively give back to the community.
This park is very central to the city and recently just put in a new playground. It is right across from the church we meet at in Toledo, Ohio. The idea is that the girls can come whenever they want to the park with their friends and tell their friends about the sunscreen dispenser. This starts a conversation and allows children (and adults) to be curious. It takes just a conversation to get someone to think about seeing a dermatologist. It takes just a squirt to potentially save a life from cancer. Education is key. As someone who works in the healthcare industry I find it crucial that we educate people as much as we can. A simple gesture of free sunscreen is something that could turn into the gift of life.
How’d Anders Dermatology come into the fold? What do you appreciate about their role?
Anders Dermatology is centrally located and well known throughout the region. They have cared for my family for years. Anders Dermatology is also located within the same area as Wildwood. We wanted to partner with a group that cared about the community as much as we did. They were the perfect fit.
Overall, what excites the Troop about bringing this project to fruition?
Depending on whom you talk to there are different answers you will get about what makes the scouts excited. This is because of different ages we have within our troop. One thing that keeps these girls going is that they know they are giving to the community. The pride the girls have from going to the park and showing their friends that they put this dispenser in with their own money is inspiring. The girls are more empowered. They want to do more, which is where the troop leaders come in and guide. Our hope is that as the troop gets older they will continue to do more projects like this and encourage their friends to look outside of the box and realize that they can do anything if they put their mind to it.
It’s my belief that in order to raise good leaders we must be good leaders and lead by example. I have full confidence that we will impact lives one way or another with this project. We might not ever know about it… but that’s ok. That’s part of being a good leader. Sometimes you have to let go and watch to see what the ripple effect has in store.
We hope that other troops or organizations will learn more about IMPACT and find ways to donate or sponsor sunscreen dispensers in their own communities!
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To get involved and aide in making an IMPACT in your own community, visit www.impactmelanoma.org for more information!
