Vermont has the nation’s second-highest per-capita rate of new melanoma cases in the nation.

This summer, the UVM Cancer Center and the Vermont Lake Monsters are raising awareness about skin cancer prevention. Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Vermont and Vermont has the nation’s second-highest per-capita rate of new melanoma cases in the nation.  

The best way to avoid skin cancer is by limiting sun exposure. The UVM Cancer Center teamed up with Vermont Lake Monsters to educate and provide sun safe resources so fans can still enjoy some baseball while limiting exposure to harmful UV rays safe. The UVM Cancer Center is proudly sponsoring free SPF 30 all summer long through new sunscreen dispensers around the grandstands.  On top of this, Champ will be educating fans during the games about sun safety and ways to protect and reduce your skin cancer risk. 

The Vermont Lake Monsters has also donated over 500 tickets for people living with and beyond cancer and their family members, caregivers, and clinicians to attend two special games. We encourage all fans to wear lavender as a show of support on these two nights:

• Sunday, June 18, 2023, 5:05 p.m. – Vermont Lake Monsters vs. Westfield Starfires Father's Day & Men's Health Awareness

• Friday, July 14, 2023, 6:35 p.m. – Vermont Lake Monsters vs. Nashua Silver Knights Breast Cancer Awareness Night

At these games a ceremonial pitch will be thrown by a cancer patient, survivor, or provider.

“We want to extend a huge thank you to UVM Cancer Center for their support of the Lake Monsters sun safety initiative,” said Senior Vice President C.J. Knudsen. “Their dedication to spreading cancer prevention messaging and resources showcases the incredible work being done by the UVM Cancer Center to fight cancer in our community and beyond. We couldn’t be more proud to partner with the UVM Cancer Center.”

“Beyond research, clinical care and education, community outreach is an essential element to reduce the burden on cancer,” said Director of the UVM Cancer Center Randall Holcombe, MD, MBA. “Educating the community we serve to help reduce the risk of cancer is important to us, and by partnering with the Lake Monsters we feel this is a meaningful way we can make an impact.”

The UVM Cancer Center will also be onsite to celebrate head coach Pete Wilk of the Vermont Lake Monsters and his battle with cancer at the Dig in For Pete game on July 8^th. Visit the UVM Cancer Center table to fill out a sign for Pete and those that you know have been impacted by cancer.

Find more information about the Vermont Lake Monsters games here.