AUGUSTA – Thirty-four schools in the state recently were awarded $500 grants for sun safety education and sun safety policy development, sponsored by the Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

Each of the schools applied for the grants and will use the funds for a variety of programs and events, according to Anita Ruff, coordinator of the statewide program that looks at cancer prevention, detection and treatment programs as well as survivorship.

Ruff said Monday that some schools plan to use the funds for assemblies, to develop educational skits, for field days and for policy development.

One school plans to build a shade garden using a trellis and shade plants on the school campus, she said. Another school is asking third-grade pupils to develop a sun safety policy to be presented to the school population and later to the school board for adoption.

“The focus will be on wearing protective clothing [pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats, sunglasses], applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and seeking shade when outdoors,” Ruff said.

These are the four easy steps to prevent skin cancer – “Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen with an SPF of 15 and higher, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses,” she said.

Ruff said that even on cold winter days, people should protect themselves from the dangers of the sun.

“Reflections from the snow can more than double your danger from the sun’s harmful UV rays,” she said.

For more information, contact Ruff at 287-5358 or visit www.MaineCancer

Consortium.org.