Miami Dolphins Expose the Dangers of Melanoma Through New National Educational Campaign

MIAMI, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miami Dolphins and the Melanoma Exposed™ Screen. Protect. Know. Tell. campaign will host two free skin screening events at Sun Life Stadium this year, with the first taking place on Saturday, June 16, 2012, and a second event at the September 16 game against the Oakland Raiders. Melanoma Exposed is a new educational campaign – led by leading melanoma advocacy groups, former pro football Coach Bill Cowher and Bristol-Myers Squibb – to raise awareness of melanoma and its risk factors and to encourage people to get screened.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and claims the life of one American every hour. Furthermore, men are nearly twice as likely as women to die from the disease. Since the sun's UV rays are a risk factor for melanoma, Florida residents must be especially careful. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 76,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma this year. Nearly 5,500 of these cases will be in Florida—more than any other state but California.

"Melanoma should be on every Floridian's mind. Most Americans are unaware of the seriousness of melanoma, the most deadly of all skin cancers," said Miami Dolphins CFO Mark Brockelman, whose wife Jan passed away from the disease in 2010. Mark and Jan's daughter, Taylor, had several precancerous melanoma moles surgically removed from her scalp. "My family is now vigilant in taking steps to protect their skin health."

Brockelman added, "We are excited to welcome Melanoma Exposed to Sun Life Stadium and eager to help our fans learn more about melanoma risk factors and practicing early detection strategies to prevent this dangerous form of skin cancer."

A special team of licensed dermatologists will be conducting free skin screening exams on June 16 and teaching participants simple melanoma protection tips. The event will accommodate approximately 500 free screenings throughout the day. Fans that get screened will be eligible to win a pair of free tickets to the upcoming Miami Dolphins Melanoma Awareness game on September 16. Everyone who attends the event will have the opportunity to meet current players, Dolphins' alumni, and cheerleaders. Fans will also have a chance to tour the locker room and Owner's Suite, purchase discounted season tickets, and participate in family-friendly activities led by the Fin Force. Additionally, a few lucky fans will be selected to kick a field goal during the Melanoma Awareness game, for a chance to win $10,000!

WHAT:  Miami Dolphins and Melanoma Exposed Skin Cancer Screening Event

WHEN:  Saturday, June 16, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Sun Life Stadium, Gate G (347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, FL 33056)

For more information about Melanoma Exposed, and to learn more about melanoma risk factors, visit www.MelanomaExposed.com. Visitors can share what they've learned with family and friends by using the interactive tools on the website, such as "Throwing a Forward Pass" to their Facebook friends in high prevalence areas, and test their melanoma knowledge (and football skills) by playing Goalpost Avenue, an online educational game coached by Coach Cowher, also available as a free app for tablets.

About the Melanoma Exposed Campaign
Melanoma Exposed is a public awareness campaign designed to educate Americans about melanoma and its risk factors and encourage them to take a more active role in their skin health, which may include receiving routine skin cancer screenings by a dermatologist and performing regular skin self-exams. The Melanoma Exposed campaign is a partnership with the Melanoma International Foundation, Melanoma Research Alliance, Melanoma Research Foundation, and The Skin Cancer Foundation, and is sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb. For more information about the campaign, visit www.MelanomaExposed.com.

About the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins, owned by Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross, currently play in the AFC East of the National Football League. The organization has played in five Super Bowls, winning championships in 1972 (VII) and 1973 (VIII). The franchise also has won five conference championships and 13 division championships and is the oldest continuous major-league professional sports franchise in the state of Florida. For more information, visit the organization's website at dolphins.com.

SOURCE Miami Dolphins