'Skin Cancer, Take A Hike': A Virtual Fundraising Event

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — November is National Healthy Skin Month and this year the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is encouraging St. Petersburg residents to safely hit the trails to raise funds and awareness for one of the most preventable forms of cancers—skin cancer.

The goal is to log 9,500 miles across the country, in honor of the estimated 9,500 people who are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, according to the city of St. Petersburg.

The dollars raised from this event help the AAD provide access to shade structures, like the one at Spa Beach at the St. Pete Pier that was generously donated by the AAD, as well as free screenings, sunscreen dispensers and educational resources to help prevent and detect skin cancers early, when they are most treatable.

This virtual event takes place until Nov. 30.

You can create your own hikes and decide how many steps you want to take each day.

How To Register:

There are no fees or minimums to participate.

• Sign Up: Register online at the American Academy of Dermatology's website Skin Cancer Take a Hike
• Get Moving: Download the free Strava app and join the club, "Skin Cancer, Take a Hike" to track and share your progress with others who are stepping up for skin cancer.
• Connect: Join the Hike Facebook group to stay connected and watch the leader board throughout the event. Mini-challenges will be posted for a chance to win some great prizes. Tag your social media posts and use the hashtag #SCTAH4.
• Spread the word: By sharing your commitment to take steps for skin cancer, you are joining a movement to educate the public about the importance prevention and detection of the most common form of cancer, which claims an estimated 32 lives every day, according to AAD.

To learn more, visit hike.aad.org/virtual.