I wanted to thank you and Martin Touhey for presenting the SunAWARE Program at Hingham Middle School this academic year. Together you taught approximately five hundred and fifty students about their personal risk of skin cancer and sun protection. The skin analyzer that you used provided an excellent illustration of the effects of UV rays on the skin. This was a big hit with the children because it provided a tangible example of the effects of UV radiation on the skin.
In addition to your classroom work, you have directly impacted one student and one teacher regarding their risk of melanoma. One of the teachers, that you had advised to see a dermatologist because of atypical moles, was diagnosed with melanoma. You may remember that the teacher came to the health class to have her UV photograph taken to evaluate her sun damage. You had recognized that she had atypical moles and advised her to see a dermatologist. She followed your direction and was found to have a melanoma and she had surgery last week.
I wanted to provide you with follow up on the student that you had recommended that the school nurses contact his parents. The school nurse called his Mother to share with her your recommendations that he see a dermatologist because of the UV photograph. She told us that his Father had died of melanoma when he was a little boy. She has promised to confer with her pediatrician regarding this matter.
Your program has touched each of us in a different way but these two individuals will never forget your lessons because they may have changed their lives. Thank you for all that you have done for the students at Hingham Middle School.
Review from Guidestar