(January 25, 2006—Miami, FLA)— Coconut Grove Arts Festival visitors can learn more about family sun safety and good skin health by participating in the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) free interactive educational exhibition, held outside the entrance to the Festival, Saturday, February 18, 10 am-6 pm and Sunday, February 19, 2006, 9 am-6 pm.

WDS dermatologist volunteers from the Greater Miami area will conduct free skin assessments utilizing DermaScan machines and will provide sun safety educational materials, children’s activities and free sunscreen to Arts Festival visitors.

This dynamic family-oriented community outreach, known as “Families Play Safe in the Sun”, is made possible by a $1,000,000 grant from the 3M Foundation. Miami is the fourth leg of a three-year, 15-city educational tour around the United States. The WDS service campaign developed from the need to better promote sun safety due to the continued incidence of skin cancer, now the fastest- growing form of cancer in America and the leading type of cancer for young women, ages 25-29.

According to Suzanne Connolly, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, who leads the national WDS community service effort, the mission of Families Play Safe in the Sun is to “educate, encourage, and empower people of all ages to make sun safety a way of life, and practice proper skin health habits on a daily basis.” The WDS effort draws from 1,200 WDS members nationally to provide volunteer support in local communities to reach out to diverse populations to heighten sun safety awareness and practices.

WDS member Elizabeth Alvarez Connelly, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology at the University of Miami will host the volunteer community service event locally, mobilizing several WDS members from the Greater Miami area to donate many hours to educate the public about sun protection.

In addition to generous funding from the 3M Foundation, product donations will be provided by Coolibar; Del-Ray Dermatologicals; LaRoche-Posay; Ortho Neutrogena; Phoenix Brands; Procter & Gamble; Schering-Plough; Skyrad; and Starberry, Ltd. DermaScans will be furnished by Schering-Plough.

• WHO: Volunteer dermatologist members of the Women’s Dermatologic Society from the Greater Miami area, led by Elizabeth A. Connelly, MD, pediatric dermatologist from the University of Miami faculty
• WHAT: “Families Play Safe in the Sun” community service outreach providing free dermatologic assessments, children’s activities, sun safety educational materials and sunscreen—OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
• WHERE: Outside entrance of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival
• WHEN: Saturday, February 18, 10 am-6 pm and Sunday, February 19, 9 am-6 pm.
• DIRECTIONS to the Festival in Coconut Grove, FL:
  (Coming from I-95 South)
  I-95 South ends (merges) at US 1 (South Dixie Highway)
  Take US 1 (S. Dixie Highway) to SW 27th Avenue (Shell Station on the Corner)
  Turn left (east) on SW 27th Avenue
  Continue down to S. Bayshore Drive.
  WDS booth located at:
  S. Bayshore Drive/McFarlane Rd. Intersection, just in front of the main gate.  (Near the Sonesta Hotel: 2889 McFarlane Rd.).
• MAP (Through Google Maps)
• INFORMATION: 1-877-WDS-ROSE (937-7673).

For further information about Women’s Dermatologic Society, visit: www.womensderm.org www.playsafeinthesun.org Contact Kerry Parker, Executive Director, at 1-877-WDS-ROSE The Women's Dermatologic Society supports the careers and professional development of women dermatologists. The mission of the Women’s Dermatologic Society is to help women in dermatology achieve their greatest personal and professional potential by striving to: foster, promote, and support women’s issues in dermatology; identify, train, and recognize women leaders in dermatology; and provide a forum for developing relationships.