Headline News
Schuhplatters Slap It On for The SAFE Campaign
Thursday 2 August 2007
New advert raises awareness of skin cancer
With good weather finally upon us, two German Schuhplatter folk dancers are helping The Institute of Cancer Research’s SAFE campaign encourage people to protect themselves when they’re out and about in the sun this summer. The dancers appear in a quirky new viral advert that can be viewed at www.slap-it-on.com
The advert, with its strapline ‘However you do it, make sure you cover up and protect yourself this summer’ features the pair of German Schuhplatters covering each other with SPF15 suntan lotion while performing their traditional dance.
Hannah Crabtree, spokesperson for The SAFE Campaign said: “We hope this advert will make people laugh, then think more seriously about how they can protect themselves from the sun. With many people jetting off for their summer holidays over the coming weeks we want to remind everyone that they can look after their skin with just a few simple steps.”
SAFE, that stands for Skin Awareness for Everyone, aims to raise awareness of skin cancer and funds for vital research into new treatments. Skin cancer affects more than 75,000 people in the UK each year. The incidence of the disease has more than doubled over the past 20 years and continues to rise at an alarming rate. The majority of cases could be prevented by protecting ourselves from the harmful affects of UV rays.
After watching the advert, viewers are then able to click on a link to The SAFE website to find out more information about skin cancer, how to protect their skin from the sun and signs and symptoms of the disease.
The advertisement was created on a pro-bono basis - it was written by Helen Jones and Cathy Hutton and directed by Ham through Madcow films.
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For further information, photos, interviews with experts or with people who have suffered from skin cancer, please contact The SAFE Campaign on 020 7153 5359 / 07721 747 900 or nadia.ramsey@icr.ac.uk
Top tips to keep skin and sun aware:
• Cover up in the sun and stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest, between 11am and 3pm
• Wear factor 15+ sunscreen
• Take extra care with children and if you have fair skin
• Regularly check your skin for new moles or changes to existing moles or skin
• Visit your GP immediately if you notice any unusual changes to your skin or moles
What to look out for:
If you notice any of the following changes you should visit your GP immediately:
• New sores and lumps that do not heal after a month
• Spots or sores that bleed, itch, develop a crust or hurt
• Unexplained skin ulcers
• New or existing moles which appear to be growing or changing shape
• New or existing moles which are a range of shades of brown and black
• New or existing moles which are larger than 6mm in diameter
• New or existing moles which have jagged edges
• New or existing moles which bleed, ooze
• Remember though that most melanomas do not arise out of moles, so any unexplained change to your skin should not be ignored
The SAFE Campaign
SAFE is a campaign run by The Institute of Cancer Research to encourage people to be skin and sun aware, and raise funds for our vital research in this area. For more information visit www.safe-campaign.org
SAFE @ Superdrug
High street retailer Superdrug is supporting The SAFE Campaign to promote skin and sun protection.
The SAFE UV wristband is now on sale at Superdrug stores nationwide and online at www.superdrug.com
All proceeds from the wristband, which will sell for £1, will go to The Institute of Cancer Research. The bands are specially designed to change colour when out in the sun as a reminder to the wearer to apply sunscreen and cover up.
Viral production
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Mad Cow Films
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Pete Chambers
PRODUCER: Jonas Blanchard
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Georgia Shelton
DIRECTORS: Helen Jones, Marcus Respinger
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: David Rom
