Pulse

Dermatology Promotes Skin Cancer Awareness at Sand Soccer Championships

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people under a tent handing out sunscreen.

Under a bright summer sky at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, members of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at Old Dominion University Department of Dermatology joined forces to promote an important message: protecting your skin can save your life.

The team volunteered at the National Sand Soccer Championships, one of the largest beach soccer tournaments in the world, to educate athletes, families, and spectators about the dangers of sun exposure and the importance of early skin cancer detection. As part of the “Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Awareness” initiative, they distributed more than 1,200 bags filled with sunscreen samples from La Roche-Posay and CeraVe, along with educational materials focused on sun safety and skin health.

“This event brought together two of my greatest passions: dermatology and community service,” said Madison Paige Olexson, MD Class of 2026, and dermatology research fellow. “I've always believed in the power of education to drive meaningful change, and this was a perfect opportunity to empower our community with the tools to better understand and protect their skin.”

With the guidance of faculty mentor Clinton Enos, MD, interim chair of Dermatology, and the help of a dedicated team of medical and physician assistant students, Olexson led the charge in organizing the outreach event. The collaboration with La Roche-Posay, a brand known for its commitment to dermatological health, further amplified the impact.

“Early awareness and routine skin checks are critical in the fight against skin cancer,” Olexson emphasized. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to help create a space where we can share that message.”

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Department of Dermatology to engage the community through preventive education and public health outreach. With plans to continue and expand these efforts in the future, the team hopes to build lasting partnerships and inspire more people to take sun protection seriously.

“Our goal is to make sun safety second nature,” said Olexson. “We look forward to sharing our message at additional events in the future.”