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Gear Up Video

"Gear Up for Summer" is a lively 10-minute videotape intended for use with young people aged 8-15 who are participating in outdoor activities, such as softball, canoeing, swimming, flag football, golf and tennis. The video celebrates the fun that summer brings, while helping young people understand how to protect themselves from skin damage not only during the summer, but year-round. 

Included with the videotape is a useful information card, Talking Points, that summarizes the video content and provides answers to frequently asked questions.

Why do young people need to watch this video?

  • In the United States today, one in five individuals will develop some type of skin cancer in his or her lifetime, and that number jumps to one in three in the Sunbelt
  • One type of skin cancer in particular, melanoma, is a fast-growing skin cancer that can be deadly, and occurs in younger people 
  • Melanoma cases have more than doubled in the past 20 years
  • Just three severe sunburns before the age of 18 increases one’s lifetime risk for melanoma five-fold

NOTE: Viewing “Gear up for Summer” is one of the requirements for earning the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council’s Project SAFETY Council Program  patch. To purchase the patch or to obtain a copy of the Project S.A.F.E.T.Y. patch requirements (GSA “Form #GSSJC  F-86”), please call 713-292-0300.  

This video was developed by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Project S.A.F.E.T.Y. (Sun Awareness For Educating Today's Youth) office, and was made possible by a generous grant from Schering-Plough HealthCare Products. It is available for the cost-recovery charge of $5.00, which includes shipping and handling. 

Order the CD ROM

Disease Information


© 2009 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center