Students at Bellevue West High School are leading the push to raise awareness about skin cancer, and how to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
The students are part of the DECA program, and so far have raised nearly $1,000 along with donations totaling more than $1,500. The cash is used to purchase sunscreen which is then donated to local homeless shelters, schools and landscaping businesses.
Students hope they can encourage people to use sun screen and protect exposed skin even during the winter months, when according to Kelli Smith you can get just about a double dose of UV rays when the sun is bouncing off the usually snowy landscape.
"They don't realize that even though it's winter right now you can still get it." Kelli said, "Snow reflects 90% of all the dangerous UV rays."
In order to prevent skin cancer, Get Screened says it's best to avoid UV tanning beds, put on sunscreen about 30 minutes before you head outside and be sure to use sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher.
