The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place is already deep into their 8th annual “I Will Reflect” (IWR) campaign, but it’s never too late for you to join in and spread awareness about the dangers of melanoma.
From May through August, The Spa encourages sun safety through events and the sale of a custom IWR bracelet that glows every time skin is exposed to harmful sun rays, reminding people to follow the rules of sun safety and skin protection.
The “I Will Reflect” bracelet is available for $5 at The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place and 100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to skin cancer research and education. As if protecting yourself was incentive enough, anyone who shares a sun safety tip or photo on social media by August 30, 2016 will automatically be entered into a drawing to receive an Ultimate Spa Day package valued at $550. The winner will be announced on September 16, 2016. Be sure to tag one of the The Spa’s social media accounts (see below) and use #IWillReflect:
- Instagram: @charlestonplacespa
- Facebook: TheSpaAtCharlestonPlace
- Twitter: @CharlestonPLSpa
Are you in? Then take the “I Will Reflect” Sun Safety Pledge!”
I will …
- Wear sunscreen year round
- Use a minimum of 15 SPF (broad spectrum) sunscreen
- Seek the shade between 10 am and 4 pm
- Have an annual full-body skin check
- And share this important message with others
Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should join the campaign:
- If caught early, melanoma is 99% curable. There is a direct correlation between the thickness of the melanoma and survival rate. If detected in the later stages, the survival rate drops to 62%.
- Skin cancer is more common than every other type of cancer combined. While melanoma is the least common type of all skin cancers, it is the leading cause of skin cancer related deaths.
- Melanoma can be found in places that are not often exposed to sunlight, including the bottoms of your feet, under your fingernails and toenails and in your mouth.
- Melanoma is not just an “old person” disease; in fact, it is one of the most common cancers found in adults ages 30 years and younger.
- It is a misconception that only fair skinned, light haired people can be diagnosed with melanoma. People of all skin-colors are susceptible to the disease.
It is recommended that you do your own skin-check once a month in a well-lit room with both a full-length and handheld mirror. Become knowledgeable about your own moles, freckles, and marks on your skin so that you will notice any changes in the appearance of your skin. Also, be sure to have a full-body skin check performed by a health care professional once a year. Pick up a mole check card at your Dermatologist's office or at The Spa at Charleston Place. And, wear the I Will Reflect bracelet to show your support for this cause.
The IWR Melanoma Initiative is part of a worldwide cause founded by SpaFinder, Inc. and sponsored locally by The Spa at Charleston Place and the Medical University of South Carolina.