Dr. Dan is an advocate for contemporary, holistic health practitioners in Austin. Future shows will spotlight the many, exceptional doctors that believe that whole body, preventative care is the key to life long health and topics will include solutions for healthy living ranging from what to do when you feel tired and lethargic to how to treat those sore muscles from your weekend exercise, to how to prevent suffering from seasonal allergies so common here in Austin. Tune in to Dr. Dan and Be Healthy for Life.
The Shade Project breaks ground on Lamar Middle School playground canopy
Coverage from KEYE-TV
An Austin dermatologist and his wife are hoping a simple structure can prevent skin cancer in Austin’s youngest members.
The Shade Project is breaking ground on their first project, a 40 by 40 foot shade structure in the courtyard of Lamar Middle School, Friday morning. The shields are designed to shade the kids from UV rays, a major factor in preventing the development of skin cancer. The CDC says childhood and adolescence are so critical because that’s when half of a person’s sun exposure happens, and sun damage is something that builds over time.
Dr. Daniel Ladd started the nonprofit, The Shade Project, late last year in an effort to limit the amount of sun kids are exposed to after he says he began seeing skin cancer occurring more frequently and with younger patients, some as young as 18. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in America. The Texas Medical Association says about one out of every three Texans will get some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.
Lamar is the first school to get this type of canopy from the Shade Project, and the first of many shade structures the group is hoping to install. The group says their next project, a shade canopy over the Rosewood Splash Pad, is awaiting final approval from the city. Funding has already been secured through a matching grant from the Austin Parks Foundation. They’re hoping to have that one installed by June. They then hope to install canopies at eight other splash pads, other elementary schools, parks, trails, and anywhere else in the city that needs them.