It’s finally summer in Toronto and after what feels like years of cold and darkness, Canadians are doffing their parkas, relegating the huskies to the kennel and swapping their igloos for cottages.
As tempting as it may be to dash out to the nearest park with the kiddies be sure to swap the snowsuit routine for the sunscreen routine.
A few weeks ago, a friend and founding board member, forwarded a video link for the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund.
I have seen and heard similar stories, but David’s has left a lasting impression. Perhaps it is that he was such a young guy, just a few years older than me, and a father. Perhaps, it was that life seemed to be perfect for him. Great job, beautiful wife, growing family. Life was going along exactly as he planned and then suddenly it wasn’t.
I realized that could me. That could be my husband. That could be anyone that I know.
It is scary that I know this to be true for most cancers.
Help carry on David’s fight against this terrible disease and take a minute to view this link and educate yourself about skin cancer risks. Do it for yourself. Do it for your children.
Unsure of which sunscreens are the safest to use? Environmental Working Group released their top safe sunscreens for 2011 so check it out!
The link to the EWA is so helpful, Beth-Anne. I have to go to the drugstore today because all three of the boys are allergic to the sunscreen I bought for this year. I’m glad to have their tips as I go shopping for an alternative.
Nathalie – I bought Green Beaver for the boys. One of them has extremely bad eczema and not a lot agrees with his skin. So far, so good. It is a bit greasy but I am willing to make the trade off for no itchy skin. It’s also Canadian
We’ve had good success with Badger (which fortunately is available in a local store–I find it hard to track down a lot of the products the EWG approves!). It is a bit greasy and we really have to rub it in to avoid having little ghosts, but skin cancer is practically an epidemic in my family, and I’d rather have them look a little unearthly now than all chopped up (or worse) later.
I agree with you. I often find it hard to find their recommended products. I tend to have better luck with non-chain stores and I know some people who even resort to on-line shopping. I found a great selection of safe sunscreens at Main Drug Mart. They usually carry a decent supply of organic and “safe” foods and beauty products.
Ghostly children, unite!
I bought one (only one this time, not the six I had to return yesterday–so much for saving time and money) bottle of Ombrelle for kids, and am trying that out. I also ordered Green Beaver online. There’s a flat fee of $10 for shipping in Canada, and I think it’s worth it so I don’t have to schlep somewhere to find it. I also bought their bubble bath for kids. I like the story the founders tell of how they started their business: both worked in the pharmaseutical field and wanted to provide an alternative to the mainstream chemical-laden products they saw in stores.