To kick off a fun and healthier summer, Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital has teamed up with the City of New Rochelle Parks and Recreation to offer free SPF 30 sunscreen through contactless dispensers in parks throughout the city. To introduce the initiative, Montefiore and City officials gathered on Tuesday, June 14th at Huguenot Park, behind Huguenot Children’s Library and near Jack’s Friendship Garden Playground.
A total of 15 free sunscreen dispensers will be available at various locations, including playgrounds, ballfields, and beaches.
“Though skin cancer is a common form of cancer, it is also highly preventable,” said Anthony Alfano, Vice President, and Executive Director, Montefiore New Rochelle. “By partnering with the City of New Rochelle Parks and Recreation, we are ensuring sunscreen is available to all members of our community so this important tool can be found when and where people need it the most. We are particularly proud to have dispensers near libraries and playgrounds so we can instill healthy habits for even the youngest New Rochelle residents.”
“We know that our residents have been looking forward to enjoying our parks and playgrounds as the weather warms up,” said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bill Zimmermann. “With the support of Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, these contactless sunscreen dispensers make it easy for everyone to do that safely.’
More than 3,800 residents in New York State are diagnosed with melanoma each year. It is among the top ten cancer diagnoses among New York State residents and for young adults ages 20 to 34 years, melanoma ranks among the top four cancer diagnoses. About 648 New Yorkers die from skin cancer each year and approximately 75% of these deaths are due to melanoma.
New Rochelle is the second municipality in Westchester County to host this free initiative.