October 2010

 

2010/11 summer campaign

The SunSmart summer campaign starts this year with SunSmart Week. The 2010 Week runs from Sunday 14th November to Saturday 20th November.

An information pack for SunSmart Week will be distributed by the Cancer Society of New Zealand’s National Office to all Cancer Society health promoters prior to their 20th October meeting. Another information pack for the rest of the activities for summer will be distributed in November 2010. Both of these information packs include information regarding public relations, paid media and other confirmed activities ie. events for the 2010/11 summer campaign. These information packs will also be available on the SunSmart website

If you have any questions regarding HSC’s activities during the 2010/11 summer, please contact Laurianne or Wayde – or phone (04) 472 5777.

Resources

HSC has the following print resources and merchandise to help you promote SunSmart messages over the 2010/11 summer:

• Print resources
Never let your child get sunburnt – posters and brochures
Never get sunburnt – posters and brochures

To order these, please email Cristina

• SunSmart merchandise

Balloons
Frisbees
Hats
Kneelers
Pens
Swim bags

Pencils
Rulers
Side window shade for cars
Stickers
Tattoos
Volleyballs

You can view and order these at:
http://www.hsc.org.nz/merchandise/index.php?prdT=Other&filter=4
 

Window displays in Pharmacy Guild pharmacies during SunSmart Week

During SunSmart Week there may be some pharmacies in your community with SunSmart window displays. The HSC is providing interested pharmacies with SunSmart posters and brochures. For more information about this initiative, please contact Cristina

Redevelopment of the UV Index tool

Background
The UV index “Fire Fan” tool was launched in 2003/04. In 2008, the HSC commissioned some qualitative research to gather information on the public’s awareness of the tool. The findings highlighted general low awareness of the tool and those people aware of the tool were confused about how to interpret it.

By the summer of 2008/09, some national news media stopped broadcasting the UV Index. There were problems with fitting it into the broadcast formats; a perceived lack of interest and understanding due to no change in the UV Index over summer; and a lack of relevant information to make it easy for people to apply it to their own situation.

Next steps
The HSC is leading the redevelopment of the UV Index tool project in consultation with lead New Zealand skin cancer control stakeholders (including the Cancer Society of New Zealand’s National Office) and the Cancer Council of Victoria, Australia. The HSC has developed two new tools and Cancer Council of Victoria has developed one new tool. These three tools will be consumer tested later this year, with the preferred new tool hopefully being introduced by March 2011.

The HSC and Cancer Society New Zealand’s National Office are ensuring that any new UV Index tool remains a useful component of SunSmart education in schools. Both organisations are consulting with school teachers and health promoters who actively use the UV Index resources to learn how the current resources are being used and suggestions for improvement.

For more information about this project, please contact Wayde

 

New Zealand Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee

The NZ Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee is a group of national representatives of organisations working in skin cancer control who meet triennially to develop the strategic direction (via a framework) for skin cancer control in New Zealand. The framework guides the sector’s skin cancer control activities.

The Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee met on 31 August 2010 in Wellington. Thirty-three representatives across the skin cancer control continuum were present to develop the 2011-14 Strategic Framework. The Framework will be finalised by November 2010 and will be available on the SunSmart website 
 

HSC Research

• 2010 Sun Exposure Survey (SES)
The results from the sun exposure survey have been compiled and, following review from expert stakeholders, are being finalised for publication. The final report of the findings will be available on the SunSmart website in November 2010.

• Never let your child get sunburnt evaluation results
The results from the 2009/10 Never let your child get sunburnt evaluation are now available on: www.sunsmart.org.nz/skin-cancer/research-and-statistics/research
 

Grocers dance for Melanoma Foundation

Did you know that the Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand was the beneficiary charity for the 2010 Grocery Charity Ball held in Auckland last month? The ball is an annual fundraising event organised with Foodstuffs, Progressive Enterprises and the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council.

Executive Officer of the Melanoma Foundation Heather Hyland said being the chosen charity for this year’s ball means a lot to the Melanoma Foundation as it gives melanoma the recognition it needs so lives can be saved. The total amount raised will be known later this month.