Skin Cancer Institute awarded Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award
Dylan Miller speaks during his acceptance of the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award for the Skin Cancer Institute at the foundation’s 31st Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards luncheon, Sept. 19, on Capitol Hill.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families Program awarded the University of Arizona Cancer Center Skin Cancer Institute with the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award at the foundation’s 31st Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards luncheon, Sept. 19, on Capitol Hill.
From left, Dylan Miller and Clara Curiel attend the 31st Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon held by the Prevent Cancer Foundation's Congressional Families Program.
Receiving the award at the event was Dylan Miller, MPH, senior program coordinator of outreach and education for SCI. In attendance was Clara Curiel, MD, co-director of the U of A Skin Cancer Institute, professor and chief of the Division of Dermatology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Co-director Robin Harris, PhD, did not attend the luncheon.
Also honored at the event were CNN’s Sara Sidner with the Distinguished Service in Journalism Award and congressional spouse Charles Capito (married to Senator Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia) with the Congressional Families Leadership Award.
Dylan Miller receives the award from the Prevent Cancer Foundation's Congressional Families Program.
The U of A Skin Cancer Institute was chosen for the success of their project Students Are Sun Safe (SASS), which annually trains 20-30 University of Arizona students how to teach skin cancer prevention messages to middle school and high school students.
In 2023 alone, SASS trainees presented to 16 schools and 815 middle and high school students, but demand for these presentations exceeded the number of trained student advocates. Community members expressed interest in assisting, and SCI created the Community Ambassadors for Skin Cancer Prevention Program.
Prior to becoming community ambassadors, participants attend workshops teach community members about skin cancerand ways to be sun safe, while also training them to deliver these messages to others within the community. The SCI’s goal is to “spread the word” on how dangerous sun exposure and skin cancer can be, and to create a healthier community through education. The program is supported through a 2023 Prevent Cancer Foundation grant.
Award winners and staff gather after the luncheon.
The Congressional Families Program’s signature event is widely attended by members of Congress and their spouses, as well as leaders in the cancer prevention community and Program supporters, to recognize the contributions of those using their platforms to educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection. The theme of this year’s event is “The Power of Community.” Fox News Chief National Correspondent and Prevent Cancer Foundation board member Jennifer Griffin will serve as the master of ceremonies.
“This year’s honorees exemplify the strength of community in sharing messages of cancer prevention and early detection so that more Americans may stay ahead of cancer,” said Lisa McGovern, executive director of the Congressional Families Program. “As pillars in their communities, they have built foundations of trust with their constituents, making them ideal ambassadors to inspire healthy actions for better outcomes.”