The Town of Huntington and Huntington Hospital announced a program Friday to provide free sunscreen at local recreation sites.
Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Randy Howard, vice president of operations at Huntington Hospital, and Dr. Michael Dannenberg, chairman of dermatology at Huntington Hospital, unveiled one of the free SPF 30 sunscreen dispensers at Crab Meadow beach.
Sixteen dispensers are installed at no cost to taxpayers, at Asharoken Beach, Breezy Park, Centerport Beach, Crab Meadow Beach (2 sunscreen dispensers), Crab Meadow Golf Course, Crescent Beach, Dix Hills Pool (and Dix Hills Golf Course when the pool is closed for the season), Elwood Park (Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park), Fleets Cove Beach, Gold Star Battalion Beach, Hobart Beach, Manor Field Park, West Neck Beach, and Veterans Park.
“We are always looking for new ways to provide solutions without using taxpayer funding,” said Lupinacci, who sponsored the resolution for the new skin cancer prevention program. “Rest assured that if you visit a Town of Huntington beach and forget your sunscreen, we are now equipped with free sun protection at no cost to you – or the Town – thanks to Huntington Hospital-Northwell Health.”
“We are proud to partner with the Town of Huntington to provide to the community an important tool for skin cancer prevention. This joint program allows residents to enjoy the sun in a safe manner at our beautiful parks and beaches,” said Randy Howard, vice president of operations at Huntington Hospital.
“Rates of skin cancer have been increasing over the past several decades,” said Michael Dannenberg, MD, chairman of dermatology at Huntington Hospital. “By applying sunscreen regularly while outside and wearing UV protective clothing, this disease becomes much more preventable.”
About 484 cases of skin cancer are reported yearly in Suffolk County; 48 Suffolk County residents die annually from the disease.