Desperate Housewives star to promote skin cancer prevention campaign
CINCINNATI In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May, Procter & Gamble’s Olay and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery announced that for the second year in a row “Desperate Housewives” actress Marcia Cross will be the spokeswoman for the annual skin cancer prevention campaign “Skin Cancer Takes Friends.”
Cross will kick off the nationwide free skin cancer screening initiative and education effort, alerting Americans about the importance of early detection and prevention in the fight against skin cancer. Cross not only will help spread the word with media outreach efforts online and in-store, but she also will be featured in the program's print ad campaign.
"Having had two family members stricken by melanoma, I've become very passionate about helping to educate the public about skin cancer," Cross stated. "Thanks to early detection, both my cousin and grandfather survived the disease, but many people aren't as lucky. Protect your friends and loved ones by scheduling a screening together. The few minutes it takes for a screening can save your life."
The campaign allows men and women to schedule screenings for themselves and a friend, so they can go together, at no cost to either patient.Dermatologic surgeons nationwide, members of the ASDS, will volunteer to provide the screenings during May, June and July at their offices.
Added Jeff Jarrett, Olay brand manager, "The influence of friendship plays a key role in educating people about skin cancer. Our goal is to help people understand the importance of daily protection, regular self-screenings and annual screenings with a dermatologic surgeon in the fight against skin cancer, and encouraging them to share that information with their friends and loved ones."
Beginning April 1, those interested can log onto www.skincancertakesfriends.org <http://www.skincancertakesfriends.org> or asds.org to find a dermatologist offering free "Skin Cancer Takes Friends" screenings in their area.