Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States.
The Great South Bay Music Festival is about to mark its 15th year as a four-day annual music festival at Patchogue’s Waterfront Park, July 20-23. The festival is also celebrating the second year of its Sun Safety Policy, which is designed to help protect attendees and staff from excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure during the mid-July festival.
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States. Nearly 500 residents of Suffolk County are diagnosed with melanoma each year, more than any other county in New York State. Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention Initiative (CPiA) program supports organizations and businesses on Long Island who are exposed to the outdoors in adopting policies that reduce UV exposure and promote sun safety.
Festival founder and organizer Jim Faith knows that sun safety during the festival is “a matter of course.” Faith began working with Stony Brook Cancer Center’s CPiA program in early 2022 to plan their Sunshine Safety Policy, which was piloted at last year’s festival.
“We’re honored to be adopting a sun-safe policy for the holiday season,” Faith said, reflecting on the pilot policy. “We were able to raise awareness [about skin cancer] Also for those affected by the sun’s harmful UV rays. ”
As a cancer survivor, Faith is a staunch supporter of the fight against cancer. As the festival has done in past years, one dollar from each ticket will be donated to Stony Brook Cancer Center’s innovative novel therapy research programs. This year, Stony Brook Medicine will be the festival’s exclusive healthcare partner and will provide first responders on-site to meet medical needs.
The festival’s sun-safe policy includes free sunscreen, and more than 10,000 sunscreen samples were distributed during last year’s festival. There are also stand-up sunscreen dispensers throughout the festival grounds to help attendees stay sun-safe throughout the day. But that doesn’t mean leaving your sunscreen at home while attending the festival! The festival’s website has been updated to encourage attendees to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and covering clothing — all proven strategies for reducing overexposure to UV rays.
Festival workers receive a free sun-safe gift bag containing a clip-on sunscreen bottle, UV-blocking sunglasses and information on staying sun-safe while working. These items are also available to attendees at the Stony Brook Cancer Center table. Those same tactics will be in effect again this year.
With temperatures expected to hit the 80s during this year’s festival, the sun safety policy will once again provide protection from the sun for more than 15,000 attendees and staff. Held July 20-23 at Patchogue’s Waterfront Park, the festival will feature over 55 performers including Phil Lesh & Friends, Gov’t Mule, Hot Tuna, Dirty Heads and more!
If you don’t have tickets yet, you can use code: SUNSAFE at checkout to get 10% off.access Greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com Get festival information and ticket sales.
For more information on Stony Brook Cancer Center’s CPiA program, visit Take Action Against Cancer.com
CPiA is supported by funding from Health Research, Inc. and the State of New York.
About the Great South Bay Music Festival:
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Great South Bay Music Festival is Long Island’s oldest and largest four-day music, arts and cultural event. Set in the magnificent Great South Bay, it features over 55 performers on 4 stages, presenting classic rock, jazz, jam band, country, folk, zydeco, hip-hop and funk legends as well as local emerging artist. For lovers of handcrafted arts and crafts as well as shoppers, the Great South Bay’s Artisan Market has an interesting variety of handcrafted and imported creations. A well-known family event, the Great South Bay Music Festival strives to provide exceptional educational fun for all! Kids will love our KIDZONE – high quality, educational kids entertainment all day, Saturday and Sunday.To learn more, please visit Greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
About Stony Brook Cancer Center:
Stony Brook Cancer Center is a leader in cancer care in Suffolk County, as well as a leader in education and research. Cancer Center sees more than 20,000 inpatients and 70,000 outpatients per year with 12 multidisciplinary teams: Breast Cancer; Colorectal Cancer; Gastrointestinal Cancer; Genitourinary Cancer; Gynecological Cancer; Tumor and Stem Cell Transplantation; Lung Cancer; Melanoma and Soft Tissue Sarcoma; Neuro-Oncology; Orthopedic Oncology; and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. The cancer program is accredited by the Cancer Council of the American College of Surgeons.To learn more, please visit cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
