National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention

06/18/2025

Renata Block, PA-C, speaks with patient advocate Brittany Groover on her experience, how to educate young patients, and understanding the psychosocial impact of melanoma.

05/24/2025

Congratulations to West Virginia on their 3rd Proclamation! 🎉 Thank you to Governor Patrick Morrisey for signing a state-wide proclamation recognizing Don't Fry Day 2025. We applaud your commitment to raising awareness of skin cancer and encouraging UV safety in your beautiful state!

We are very grateful to skin cancer advocate Christine Ford Sams for leading the effort. As both Mrs. All-Star United States 2017 and Mrs. West Virginia International 2021, Christine used her platform for skin cancer awareness. She has also been a guest blogger for National Council core member Melanoma Research Foundation.

In addition to her work on the Don’t Fry Day Proclamation, Christine coordinated with the Office of the Governor for a 5th year on a Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month Proclamation!

🖤 Thank you, Christine, for your commitment to skin cancer prevention. West Virginia is very fortunate to have such a passionate advocate and change-maker!

👒 🕶 🧴 ⛱To help reduce rising rates of skin cancer from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day,” reminding everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors.

WV Health Right Free Clinic / WVRX
Give Comfort, Inc.
Mountains of Hope Cancer Coalition
WV Departments of Health, Health Facilities, and Human Services
WV Cancer Control
WVU Cancer Institute
West Virginia State Parks
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network - ACS CAN
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network- West Virginia
Community Care of West Virginia, Inc.

05/23/2025

Don’t Fry Day is 17 years old today! 🎉 The National Council launched this public awareness campaign to reduce the number of new skin cancer diagnoses by encouraging people to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors; we also spread skin cancer awareness with the goal of early detection. We greatly appreciate every post, like, and share--your participation helps the messaging reach a wider and more diverse audience! 👏

☀️ We invite EVERYONE to use the Don’t Fry Day Toolkit to spread this important prevention information. Our graphics and messages are ready to download and drop into your social media and newsletters. We would love for you to use our materials anytime and in whatever way best serves your community. (‼️ It doesn't have to just be on Don't Fry Day!)

🖤 Our sincere thanks and deepest gratitude to everyone supporting the campaign. It is so inspiring to see everyone's posts and reels. Keep them coming! Your advocacy saves lives!

Infographics, images, messages and more! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDHFxkHZnD_ReVTwQcQ8LRLMRcZ1rK2z6dyElTHGVL0/edit?usp=drive_link

P.S. Check out our Instagram stickers and our Canva template designed to feature your own photos!

05/23/2025

Thank you Governor Greg Gianforte and the state of Montana for recognizing the importance of skin cancer prevention with a 2025 Don’t Fry Day Proclamation! This is the SEVENTH Don't Fry Day Proclamation for the state of Montana; we greatly appreciate your continued commitment to spreading skin cancer awareness and encouraging Montanans to protect their skin. Thank you to Karrie Fairbrother, BSN, RN, DNC, CDCES, for working with the Governor's Office on the proclamation process.

Happy Don’t Fry Day! 🎉 Sending wishes for a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend! 👒 🕶 ⛱

Montana Cancer Coalition
Lewis and Clark Public Health
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Public Health In The 406
American Academy of Dermatology
Dermatology Nurses' Association
Cancer Support Community Helena
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network - ACS CAN
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Montana - ACS CAN
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies The Montana Coalition
St. Peter's Health
St. Peter's Health Foundation
PureView Health Center
Montana Community Foundation
Melanoma Research Foundation

05/23/2025

Thank you, Rebecca Hicks, and Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine! These are great tips for protecting our skin each day! 🧴 🧥 👖 👒 🕶 ⛱

🎉 Happy !

05/22/2025

Congratulations to the City of Helena, Montana on your NINTH Don’t Fry Day Proclamation! 🎉 Thank you, Mayor Wilmot Collins, for recognizing the importance of skin cancer prevention.

It was a true team effort! Thank you to Alyx Montiel, Deputy Clerk of the City Commission, for working with Karrie Fairbrother, BSN, RN, DNC, CDCES on the proclamation process. Fairbrother was presented with the proclamation during a City Commissioners’ meeting on May 19th. She spoke about tools for skin cancer prevention and emphasized how essential it is for Montanans to protect their skin as they enjoy their beautiful state.

The National Council is proud to see a member organization represented in this accomplishment: Fairbrother is a Past-President and current member of the Dermatology Nurses' Association. She is also a longtime member of the Don’t Fry Day Committee, serving as the Chair of Community Engagement. We are very grateful for her support.

Fairbrother worked as a dermatology nurse in a private practice, followed by 30 years at St. Peter's Health as a Nurse Educator in wellness and diabetes, specializing in community education. Fifteen years ago, her passion for dermatology nursing and skin cancer prevention inspired her to start making sun hats for babies--with the goal that every baby born at St. Pete's would be sent home with a sun hat and educational materials for their caregivers. 👒

After many years of sewing the hats herself, Fairbrother started a fund to ensure the longevity of the initiative, purchasing UPF sun hats for the new families. In a collaboration with St. Peter's Health Foundation, she launched Karrie's HATS ON! The Fairbrother Family Skin Cancer Prevention Project, in loving memory of Gary Fairbrother, DDS, 1944 - 1989.

Thank you to everyone involved in this community-wide movement! 🖤 Your efforts to raise awareness save lives!

Pictured: Fairbrother and Mayor Wilmot Collins

City of Helena, Local Government
Lewis and Clark Public Health
Montana Cancer Coalition
Helena Area Community Foundation
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies The Montana Coalition
St. Peter's Health
St. Peter's Health Foundation
Public Health In The 406
PureView Health Center

05/20/2025

This Friday is ! ⛱ When we asked people what would make it easier to spread the word about skin cancer prevention, they said ready-to-use materials would work best. 🕶 We have a variety of infographics, images, and messaging ready to download and drop into your social media and newsletters. ☀️ Please add your logos and adjust the message to fit your needs. We offer Spanish materials as well!

🖤We truly believe that every post and share has the potential to change someone’s outcome. Together, we can save lives!

toolkit of infographics, images, messaging, and more! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDHFxkHZnD_ReVTwQcQ8LRLMRcZ1rK2z6dyElTHGVL0/edit?usp=drive_link

👒BONUS: Use our Instagram stickers and Canva frame to feature your own sun-safe photos!

05/16/2025

Thank you, Skin of Color Society! 🖤 We are very grateful for your work on the DFD Committee and applaud your commitment to skin cancer prevention! ⛱ Your efforts save lives!

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designates the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day” to promote skin cancer awareness and encourage everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. That includes people of all ages and skin tones!

This year, Don’t Fry Day occurs on Friday, May 23, 2025.

🌞Don’t Fry Day may officially come once a year, but the need for sun safety is year-round.

Remember this: SPF=Your skin’s BFF! Protect yourself and remind loved ones and friends – sunscreen is for every season and every skin tone!

The National Council encourages everyone, including non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal governments, public health professionals, advocates, and educators, to promote the importance of skin cancer prevention and sun-safe behavior.

🏖To help raise awareness and educate the public, the National Council has created a comprehensive and FREE toolkit, which includes social media assets and various supporting resources. Educational material is available in Spanish, too!

Access this fantastic toolkit here, and help shine a light on skin protection and sun safety for all: bit.ly/DFD2025

05/16/2025

Thank you, Connect Melanoma! 🖤 We appreciate your support and are so grateful for your help in sharing the campaign messaging. 🙏

05/16/2025

Shared with permission from Committee member Renata Block--thank you so much for your continued support!

"Thank you for inviting me to educate your amazing team on the importance of and the initiative!

Protect and Get Checked because it can save your life!

I will be sharing tips on how you can protect yourself every day, so make sure you follow me to catch all the important info!"

05/16/2025

Thank you, Renata, aka Savvy Derm Diva, for all that you do to promote skin cancer awareness and encourage sun safe behavior!

From Renata: Thank you, for highlighting this important initiative about "Don't Fry Day!"

Waterproof sunscreen does not exist, and water-resistant will not protect you 100% when swimming or sweating! Meaning....

no matter which you choose, remember to wear a Broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 and REAPPLY every 1-2 hours! Protecting yourself daily is incredibly important!

✔️Just ONE sunburn increases your risk of developing skin cancer!
✔️The cumulative exposure of UV radiation can damage your skin and increase your risk!
✔️No tan is a safe tan!

05/14/2025

Thank you so much, Brittanny! 🖤 We are honored that you continue to lend your voice to this important initiative and are so grateful for your work on the committee. 🙏 Your courage in sharing your story saves lives. Thank you for your commitment to education and advocacy!