FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2015

Contact: Kelly Sittig

Iowa Cancer Consortium

Office: (319) 335-8816
Cell: (319) 321-9390

Partnership To Provide Free Sunscreen Along RAGBRAI Routefor Third Year

Thousands of cycling enthusiasts are busy double-checking gear, squeezing in last-minute training rides, and anticipating fun at the 43rdRegister’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), July 19-25.With all the planning it takes to prepare for a RAGBRAI ride, it is easy to forget one essential—evenlifesaving—safetyprecaution: sunscreen.

Roughly 10,000 cyclists will ride at least a portion of this year’s RAGBRAI route; most will ride the entire seven days. That adds up to many hours directly in the hot Iowa summer sun. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and artificial sources is the greatest risk factor for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. With 840 new cases of melanoma expected to be diagnosed in Iowa in 2015,several Iowa organizations are making sure RAGBRAI riders don’t get stuck without protectivesunscreen.

The Iowa Cancer Consortium, the Iowa Department of Public Health, local cancer centers, and other organizations across the state have partnered to provide free sunscreen each day at the mid-day Beekman’s Homemade Ice Cream stand, an extremely popular stop on theRAGBRAI route.

During the 2014 ride, the partnership provided four gallons of sunscreen, 4,000 sunscreen packets, and 4,000 tubes of sunscreen lip balm to RAGBRAI riders.

A set of pre-written social media messages, including profile and cover images, can be downloaded at used to promote the free sunscreen along the RAGBRAI route. Additionally, riders are encouraged use #SunSafeRAGBRAI to share pictures on social media of themselves or friends using the sunscreen and being sun safe along the route.

ABOUT THE IOWA CANCER CONSORTIUM
The Iowa Cancer Consortium (ICC) coordinates the efforts of hundreds of individuals and organizations who work together to reduce the burden of cancer in Iowa. Formed in 2001, the ICC developed a comprehensive state-wide plan, which includes strategies designed to improve disease prevention, early detection, research, survivorship and quality of life for Iowans affected by cancer. More information about the ICC and its partners and programs is available online at Follow the ICC at on Twitter at @CancerIowa, and on YouTube at

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