This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
An April collection drive for the Salt Lake Valley's homeless focuses not on clothing or food, but on sunblock.
The Salt Lake County Health Department, Fourth Street Clinic and Salt Lake County Library Services will collect new sunscreen, sunglasses (with UV protection preferred), hats (wide-brimmed if possible), lip balm (with UV protection) and reusable water bottles.
Donation boxes will be located at all Salt Lake County library branches, the Salt Lake County Government Center's south building atrium and at the Huntsman Cancer Institute's Cancer Learning Center. Donations will be accepted April 1-30.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Utah has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the country — with 22.5 to 33.5 of every 100,000 people diagnosed with the disease. Melanoma is one of the most dangerous kinds of skin cancer, a health department news release said.
Utah's high altitude and extensive outdoor recreation opportunities increase Utahns' exposure to ultraviolet radiation, one of the major risk factors for skin cancer.
Those who are homeless are especially vulnerable because they spend so much time outdoors, the release said.
Kristen Moulton