Former Phillies 3rd baseman Mike Schmidt talked on April 17 to athletes atRidley High School, part of a campaign promoting sun safety, reports 6abc and Ariel Simpson for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Schmidt’s visit on April 17 to Ridley Park was the first event in the “Play Sun Safe” initiative that offers sun safety education, free sunscreen, and on-site engagement with youth baseball and softball organizations.
Schmidt is joining Dermatology Partners and the Richard David Kann (RDK) Melanoma Foundation to promote the initiative.
The talks emphasize the importance of wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.
The subject is an important one for Schmidt. He was diagnosed with Melanoma in 2013.
He joined the board of directors for RDK Melanoma shortly after his diagnosis.
“My life was spared,” Schmidt said. “I got to move on, got a major increased appreciation for life, love, and the people around me. It could have gone totally the opposite direction.
“Melanoma is a very, very serious disease. And 30 years ago, people died from it. Now, if you catch it early, you know, you can be cured. And we just don’t want people to get melanoma or skin cancer,” he said.
Read more about the “Play Sun Safe” initiative in The Philadelphia Inquirer and at 6abc.
