La Roche-Posay Continues Partnership With Mollie's Fund

Company donates 5,000 pieces of broad-spectrum sunscreen to melanoma awareness charity

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Jan 29, 2013, 11:02 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of their continued efforts towards sun safety education and awareness, La Roche-Posay is partnering with Mollie's Fund for the second year in a row. To honor the life of Mollie Biggane – a college sophomore who tragically passed away from melanoma at the age of 20 – La Roche-Posay is donating 5,000 pieces of its advanced broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection Anthelios Sunscreen Cream to the foundation created in her memory.

The Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation increases awareness for melanoma prevention, provides information and services on skin cancer detection and supports melanoma patients with education on treatment options.

"We are honored to accept this donation on behalf of centers nationwide," said Jack Biggane, Mollie's father and president of Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation. "La Roche-Posay has impressed us so much with its dedication to educating people about skin health and their innovative, skin-nourishing formulations, and we're excited to continue working with them for a second year. Because of their commitment to raising awareness about melanoma and the importance of early detection, there's no brand more suited to help us with the mission of our daughter's foundation than La Roche-Posay."

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation(1), over 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed in over two million people across the country, making it the most common form of cancer in the United States. While melanoma accounts for less than five percent of skin cancer cases, it results in the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. It is also the most common form of cancer in young adults between the ages of 25 and 29 and the second most common cancer found in young people between the ages of 15 and 29.

"Education, protection and early detection make a difference," explains Angela Bennett, Vice President of La Roche-Posay. "Our research shows that 99 percent of skin cancer patients survive with early detection. By teaching people about the dangers of UV rays and providing products that help protect from the sun, we hope to help prevent new cases in the coming years."

Entering into the fourth year of its SOS – Save Our Skin campaign, La Roche-Posay maintains its stance as a champion for sun protection and education. It is through this crusade that the company not only provides free skin checks and educates Americans about the dangers of UV rays and the importance of sun safety, but also demonstrates how to incorporate these principles into their everyday life – from routine dermatologist appointments to properly and regularly applying sunscreen each day.

"The SOS program encourages people to take the threat of skin cancer seriously," Bennett explains. "Through education and charitable partnerships as with Mollie's Fund, we hope to inspire people to make a change in how they protect their skin."

Mollie's Fund will distribute 5,000 pieces of Anthelios Sunscreen Cream, which offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, to cancer centers across the country, with 3,600 pieces reaching infusion patients at The Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. The remaining 1,400 units will be donated to Mollie's Fund for distribution throughout 2013.

The suggested retail price of Anthelios 15 Sunscreen Cream from La Roche-Posay is $31.95 and can be purchased at CVS/pharmacy, select ULTA, Walgreens, Duane Reade, Target locations, physicians' offices and online at www.laroche-posay.us.

About LA ROCHE-POSAY

Recommended by more than 25,000 dermatologists worldwide, La Roche-Posay offers a unique range of daily skincare developed with dermatologists to meet their standards in efficacy, tolerance and elegant textures for increased compliance. Products, which are developed using a strict formulation charter, include a minimal number of ingredients to reduce side effects and reactivity and are formulated with active ingredients at optimal concentrations for increased efficacy. Additionally, La Roche-Posay products undergo stringent clinical testing to guarantee efficacy and safety, even on sensitive skin.

About SOS – Save Our Skin

Now in its fourth year, La Roche-Posay continues its SOS – Save Our Skin to not only inform Americans about the dangers of UV rays and the importance of sun safety, but to also incite true behavioral change, such as incorporating sun protection in their daily routines and visiting their dermatologists for regular skin checks. In partnership with the Women's Dermatologic Society's (WDS) Play Safe in the Sun Campaign, the SOS – Save Our Skin program also lives through a series of additional initiatives, such as skin checks at sporting events and drug stores, as well as free skin checks offered to all L'Oreal corporate employees. To learn how to do a self-check and choose the right protection, visit www.sossaveourskin.com.

About MOLLIE'S FUND

The Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation (501c) was created in 2000 in her memory after her death at the age of twenty. The mission of Mollie's Fund is to increase awareness for melanoma prevention, provide information and services on skin cancer detection, and support melanoma patients through education of the latest treatments. By partnering with leading melanoma institutions, their educational symposiums have supported melanoma patients and their families with current information regarding new therapies and drug trials. As a leader in the war against skin cancer and melanoma, the foundation has created and produced educational materials for middle, high school and college students. The lesson plans created by Health teachers of the APHERD organization are aligned with National Health Educational Guidelines. These resources have been distributed throughout the United States and Canada. Mollie's Fund has produced public service announcements for radio, television and taxis in NYC and other major cities. Their PSA's have appeared in national newspapers, billboards, trains and the NYC subway system. Hundreds of millions of Apple and Android users can now download Mollie's Fund interactive guide which provides users facts about the evolution of skin cancer and melanoma. This FREE application illustrates a self-exam, exhibits mole changes and reinforces behaviors to protect against skin cancer. Please visit www.molliesfund.org for more information.

For additional information about La Roche-Posay, visit www.laroche-posay.us and "like" the La Roche-Posay Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LaRochePosayusa. Download the La Roche-Posay "My UV Check" iPhone application at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myuvcheck-us/id433207689?mt=8.

(1) The Skin Cancer Foundation, http://www.skincancer.org/

SOURCE La Roche-Posay