Teens boost skin smarts

Westmount students aim to increase melanoma awareness

Grade 12 students Rachel Hacohen and Nitsan Benor want their fellow Westmount Collegiate Institute students to start thinking about their skin and the dangers of tanning — all year round.

“With winter break coming up and all these graduation trips, our friends are going away to Punta Cana and other places,” said Hacohen. “If we educate them, we can help them prevent certain harmful diseases.”

Specifically, they’re taking aim at skin cancer, a subject that usually doesn’t generate discussion until the summer. They’ve created a campaign, Begin With Your Skin, which will raise funds and create awareness for teens to think twice before getting into a tanning bed. They will be holding an event at Westmount on Dec. 4, handing out ribbons and sunscreen in exchange for donations, which will go toward melanoma research with the Canadian Cancer Society.

“So many people our age tan,” said Benor. “I used to tan all the time.” But she felt personally compelled to start making a difference. “Cancer runs in my family, so it’s very important to me. We’re trying to show people opportunities they have to protect themselves.”

They were inspired to start the campaign by their teacher Neil Orlowsky, whom they say has always encouraged his students to create positive changes. When thinking of a subject they were passionate about, they both said that tanning is a subject most students could stand to know more about.

They’ve launched a social media campaign via Twitter (@beginwyskin) and have an accompanying Tumblr (beginwithyourskin.tumblr.com) where those who don’t attend Westmount can make donations through PayPal.

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