The Blog

Governor Chris Gregoire Governor Chris Gregoire

07/30/08

To kick off our participation in Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SunWise Communities program, I am proclaiming Washington as a SunWise State. Washington is proud to be the first governor-proclaimed SunWise state.

In partnership with the EPA, and as an advocate for protecting children’s health and the environment, I am encouraging all Washington students and their families to learn about sun-safe behavior at school and at home.

It is important for families to understand and protect themselves from the hidden, prevalent dangers of UV rays. The SunWise Program takes an integrative and fun approach to encouraging lifelong, preventive sun-safe behavior.

Even on our cloudiest day, harmful UV rays still penetrate that cover. Washington state has the fifth highest melanoma incidence rate and the seventh highest death rate in the country. In fact, just a few blistering sunburns in youth can significantly increase the chance of getting skin cancer later in life.

To learn more about SunWise program and how you can get involved please visit www.epa.gov/sunwise.

To view the proclamation please visit www.governor.wa.gov/news/20080730_sunwise.pdf.

Together we can work to prevent cancer and give our children healthier futures.