Current News 

California first state to finally enact ban on minors use of indoor tanning beds. Can Illinois be next?

Richmond, Calif. - (October 10, 2011) -  AIM at Melanoma, the largest international foundation dedicated to melanoma research and patient advocacy, applauds the passing today of Senate Bill 746, which now bans children under 18 from using indoor tanning beds. Tanning beds have been linked to the rapid rise in melanoma rates among 15-39-year olds.  Co-sponsored by AIM at Melanoma and the California Society of Dermatology & Dermatological Surgery, SB 746 replaces the current law, which requires teens aged 14-17 years old to obtain parental permission to use a tanning bed.   Nearly 28 million individuals use tanning beds in the U.S. annually, of which 2.3 million are teens.  Those who use tanning beds before the age of 20 double their risk of developing melanoma.  Melanoma is the No. 1 cancer killer of young women between the ages of 25-30, and second only to breast cancer in women 30-34.  Over 8,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in California in 2011.  "Scientific research has shown conclusively that tanning beds cause skin cancer," said Senator Ted Lieu, who authored the bill in the Senate. "The younger kids are when they start using tanning beds, the greater the cumulative damage to their skin and the more likely they are to die of skin cancer."  By Governor Brown allowing SB 746 to become law, the Golden State is the first in the nation with such a ban. SB746 will take effect January 1, 2012.

Susan Steel comments on new FDA approved Roche/Genetech's drug called
Zelboraf on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

Glenbrook South Students present Petition to Ban Minor Use of Indoor Tanning Beds to IL Rep. Robin Gabels and Sen. Jeff Schoenberg

In August 2011, Under the direction of SOS' Legislative Director, Henrietta Saunders, a group representing GBS Students presented an Indoor Tanning Ban Petition at a Press Conference in Sen. Schoenberg's Office. GBS Cure CoChair Ellen Hirsch and SOS Student Director Sachi Ishida coordinated GBS student representation.  Students discussed with the Representative's and Senator's staffs areas of collaboration for the upcoming Congressional Session.  The bill got out of the IL Senate Committee and is waiting to be presented on the Senate floor.  The bill failed to get out of the House Committee and like most legislation will be revised and presented to Committee again.  Rep. Dan Biss intends to be a co-sponsor of the bill.  Sen. Susan Garrett although not running again, is a firm endorser of this goal.
-08/22/2011

                                                                                 GBS Cure Club Co-Chair presents petition to Rep Robin Gabels

Glenbrook South Students Make Smart Decisions

The Skin of Steel Glenview Campaign is in the amazing position of trying to keep up with their high school students.  In preparation for the 2010 Fall, Glenbrook South Students focused on raising awareness about protecting one's own skin.  The Cure Club's, Advisor, Biology Teacher Debbie Stein, works with the Dr. Jim Shellard, Dean of Student Activities, to manage the student driven message from multiple venues. Students first began seeing the message in their Academic Calendars.  A pledge drive to ban the use of tanning beds before Homecoming was launched by the Cure Club under the leadership of GBS Student Hallie Hermann.  Hundreds of students signed the pledge. Interestingly, the local Target sold out of self tanning items.  Pep Club T-shirts  with the Glenview Campaign message to Live Sun Smart and Skin Safe were sold in abundance.  Collaborating with the Office of Student Activities, the Cure Club was able to get an awareness message broadcast to fans during the GBS Homecoming Football Game. The Cure Club then ran an awareness campaign before Winter and Spring Break reminding students and their families to protective themselves from UV radiation at high altitudes and in tropical climates.  SOS and the Cure Club sponsored a Photo Box at the Spring Fling for students to celebrate the skin they are in.

GBS Student and SOS Student Director, Sachi Ishida worked closely with SOS Legislative Director, Henrietta Saunders, and SOS GBS Liaison, Martha Duerst in the Spring of 2011 on providing public support of bills introduced to Congressional Health Committees.  IL Sen. Jeff Schoenberg and Rep. Robin Gabels introduced legislation to ban minors use of indoor tanning apparatus.  The bill failed to make it out of House Committee but passed through the Senate Committee and is waiting to be presented on the Senate floor.  Rep. Gabels, knowingly regrouped and intends to reintroduce the bill to the House Committee in the Fall 2011 Session.  After a presentation to the GBS Political Science Class, Sachi Ishida was able to procure a commitment from Rep. Dan Biss to cosponsor the bill.  Sen. Susan Garrett endorses Sen Schoenberg's bill.  Our SOS Legislative team is collaborating with San Francisco based AIM at Melanoma on this important legislation.  AIM has been working state-by-state on similar legislation.

The Titan Girls' Tennis Team jumped out of the box with their public commitment to put on sunscreen as a team before all practices and games.  They are reminding each other to wear hats and sunglasses as well.  They've also posted two banners on their court fence.  It seems the Girls' Tennis Team may have had some impact on the Boys Soccer Team, as they too are now using sunscreen as a team.  The JKB Student Athlete Leaders spoke directly to the Varsity Athletes encouraging them all to be diligent in terms of being sun smart and skin safe.  Catch a variety of these students raising awareness on the GBS Fall Sports and Activities program being broadcast on Cable Channel 26.  Whoever said that teens won't learn new behaviors clearly haven't met the students at GBS.
- 8/16/11

Skin of Steel Delivers Skin Cancer Prevention Policy Survey
Skin of Steel Intern Sara Nichols, a Government major at Georgetown University, delivered a 300 page survey of international, national, state and local policies related to skin cancer prevention to Glenview Village President, Kerry Cummings, Glenview Campaign: Live Sun Smart and Skin Safe Chair, Chris Northwick, Skin of Steel Government Relations Chair, Henrietta Saunders, and an audience of concerned residents. IL State Legislator Elizabeth Coulson also received this Policy Survey per her request. The survey focused on Public Health, Medical, School, Recreational, Occupational, and Indoor Tanning policies.  Issue and Policy Trends as well as Best Practice Models were identified.
-8/16/10

Skin of Steel Provides Glenbrook South High School with Sunscreen
In an effort to support Glenbrook South High School's dedication to making academic year 2010-11 Sun Smart and Skin Safe, Skin of Steel held a "Marley Madness Fundraiser" on July 26, 2010.  The Fundraiser was in memory of musician, Bob Marley, a man of color who died of melanoma at 36 years of age.  With less than three weeks to prepare, over $5,000 was raised for the Glenview Campaign to "Live Sun Smart and Skin Safe".  Resident Heather McEllistrem spearheaded the effort.  The Campaign immediately initiated research to identify the best sunscreen suitable for Glenbrook South High School band members and athletes.  The Campaign then purchased ten gallons of sunscreen and six wall mounts for $1,500 to supply GBS with its first round of sunscreen on August 16, 2010.  The GBS Booster Club quickly offered another $1,000 for refills.  While more funding will be necessary, expedient action has enabled GBS to pilot on-site sunscreen.  This is the first step in a 15-step process GBS is dedicated to delivering this year.  Skin of Steel recognizes that sunscreen alone is not sufficient protection but is proud to fast track an effort that it believes will stimulate new awareness and behavior in Glenview schools, thereby providing a model for neighboring communities. 

GBS' next focus is on minimizing student use of tanning beds, given that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency of Research on Cancer has declared UV radiation from artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sun lamps, as a known carcinogen.  The American Academy of Dermatology reports in a recent survey of adolescent tanning bed users, that 58% had burns due to frequent exposure to indoor tanning beds/lamps.  Currently 28 million people tan indoors in the U.S. annually.  Of these, 2.3 million are teens.  A 2010 Spring pre-prom survey completed by Dr. June Robinson and a GBS student team found that over 20% of GBS students use tanning beds. The survey discovered that some students even use the beds multiple times per week and start as early as 13 years of age. Illinois State Law requires that a parent/guardian sign a consent form in the presence of the facility operator if a child is 14-17 years old indicating that they understand the warnings.  Children under 14 are prohibited from using tanning beds.  The seriousness of the GBS survey results is compounded by the fact that studies now find a 75% increase in the risk of melanoma by tanning bed/lamp users. 
-8/16/10

Inaugural Meeting of the Chicago Melanoma Consortium

Dr. Howard Kaufman, Director of Cancer Programs for Rush, and GlaxoSmithKline host meeting for Chicago's Melanoma Specialists.
See the: Melanoma Consortium
-7/1/10

Media coverage of Skin of Steel, Chicago-based Melanoma research and relevant research worldwide

Susan Steel interviewed by the Chicago Tribune.
Ganging up on skin cancer:  Melanoma patient hopes to get local health researchers to join forces against the disease.

See the: Chicago Tribune
-5/26/10

Dr. Kaufman and Susan Steel were interviewed by the Chicago Sun Times Pioneer Press.
Sun safety group's goal to get under everyone's skin

See the: Chicago Sun Times Pioneer Press
-5/11/10

Susan Steel interviewed by the Chicago Sun Times Pioneer Press.
Susan Steel Ishida: Her name reflects her determination

See the:  Chicago Sun Times Pioneer Press
-5/11/10

Dr. Kaufman and Susan Steel were interviewed by the UK Express Sunday Newspaper.
See the: UK Express Health News
-4/11/10

Dr. Kaufman and Susan Steel were interviewed by WGN Chicago News (channel 9) on Dr. Kaufman's work with new Melanoma vaccines and Susan's experience as a 5 year survivor of Melanoma.  We hope to emphasize the importance of funding new research lines, developing a comprehensive approach to treatment and research, and provoking change in how people and institutions respond to Melanoma.
See the:  WGN Health News Report
-3/24/10

Dr. Kaufman and Susan Steel were interviewed by CBS News Chicago (channel 2)
See the:  CBS Chicago News Report
-3/17/10


People who use tanning beds once a month before the age of 35 increases their risk of melanoma by 75%.
- Melanoma Foundation of New England 3/5/10


When patients on an experimental drug trial relapsed, researchers pushed pharmaceutical companies to collaborate.


The trial of a melanoma drug offers a glimpse at a new kind of therapy tailored to the genetic profile of a cancer.


At what may be a watershed moment in understanding genetic changes that cause cancer, a small band of doctors is doggedly testing a drug known as PLX4032.
- NYTimes 2/21/10


Controlling vs Curing Cancer:  Dr. David Agus explains how cancer treatments have had a short-sighted focus on the offending individual cells. He suggests a new, cross-disciplinary approach, using atypical drugs, computer modeling and protein analysis to treat and analyze the whole body.


**Disclaimer: Skin of Steel is devoted to educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute professional medical care. Information provided by SOS should not be used for diagnosing or treating a skin problem or disease. If you have or suspect you have a skin problem please consult with a dermatologist, or other qualified professional healthcare provider.