The Passion Foundation

Through my disease, Stage 3B Malignant Melanoma, The Passion Foundation was born. Our goal is to raise funds to cover playgrounds with shade tents to help decrease the sun exposure of our children. We will also educate young people on the effects of the sun and early detection of skin cancer. These structures can block out 96% of harmful UV rays and lower the temperature 15-20 degrees underneath. We can help mitigate melanoma by providing shade for our children. While melanoma accounts for about 3% of all cancers, it accounts for 75% of all cancer deaths. 23% of their sun damage is done by the time they are 18 and I want to bring that number down in Florida. The first school that we will be starting with is Pinewoods Elementary in Estero. They have 3 playgrounds on campus that need either complete coverage or better coverage than what they have. Covering these playgrounds gives our kids up to an extra 45 minutes of coverage from the sun while they enjoy their time during recess. We are going to work with a local company to put up shade structures that also cover grassy areas where the kids run and play. As we move along, we will be looking for the next school that can benefit from one of these shade structures.