Senior students at Ursuline College in Chatham are working to spread an important message:
Tanning is out.
Grade 11 student Meaghan Lyons and her classmates in the hair styling and aesthetics program set up a booth at the high school over the lunch hour on Thursday with information pamphlets and prizes as well as oranges and carrots looking to let fellow students know about the dangers of tanning.
"We're saying that orange is a snack and not a skin tone, so what we're going to try and do is attract everyone and educate them about tanning," says Lyons.
Fellow Grade 11 student Alexis Cockburn says their message is being well received.
"Tanning is starting to phase out. It's becoming not as popular now, so that's good," says Cockburn.
She adds the timing of the message is perfect for students at the high school.
"Especially close to prom since a lot of people tan for prom," says Cockburn. "Tanning is really bad for you and can cause skin cancer."
Lyons says being part of the class opened her eyes to the dangers of tanning.
"I, myself, didn't know a lot about tanning. I just kind of thought, 'Everyone does it why not do it?'" says Lyons, enjoying her time in the program. "It's important because I learn everything about tanning and how bad it really is for your skin."
Lyons says there is a lot of misinformation when it comes to tanning and hopes their efforts will help.
"Some people think that tanning gives you a healthy glow, but really beneath the looks it's actually so bad for you, it can cause skin cancer; it's just horrible," says Lyons.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit partnered with the class in helping secure a $300 grant to help students promote the anti-tanning and skin cancer prevention message.
Health Educator with the health unit, Sandy Kambouris, says 80,000 Canadians each year are diagnosed with skin cancer.
