Mackay residents are heeding the sun safe message with hundreds of litres of free sunscreen being pumped out at some of the city's most popular aquatic facilities.
After weeks of cloudy, wet weather it may be tempting to spend some time in the sun, but leading corporate skin cancer awareness campaigner Suncorp is urging people to remain vigilant about being sun safe.
Suncorp has donated $3,000 to the Mackay Regional Council (formerly Mackay City Council) over the past three years to supply free sunscreen at the Memorial Swim Centre, Pioneer Swim Centre and the new Bluewater Lagoon aquatic facility, which opened in August last year.
The Bluewater Lagoon is a three tiered, free family-friendly leisure facility overlooking the picturesque Pioneer River in the heart of Mackay's City Centre, attracting an average 60,000 visitors per month.
Mackay Regional Council's Health, Sports and Recreation portfolio Councillor Paul Steindl said the Council takes the provision of sun safety very seriously.
"We're pleased to continue to bring this public awareness campaign to our residents and visitors," he said.
"This is our third year of working with Suncorp on this program and Mackay residents have told us our socially responsible approach to sun safety is much appreciated."
Suncorp Group Executive Banking David Foster estimates Suncorp's donation has funded about 200 litres of sunscreen which has provided head-to-toe protection for more than 6,600 pool-goers.
"Queensland has earned the sad distinction of being Australia's skin cancer capital. While there is greater ‘sun awareness' in the community, we each need to do more to protect ourselves and our families from being overexposed to the sun," he said.
Mr Foster urged Mackay residents to continue taking advantage of the wall-mounted sunscreen pumps at the three aquatic facilities.
"It can take as little as six minutes to burn in summer. So even if you're taking a ‘quick dip', you an still suffer deadly sun damage. Always apply sunscreen because the few minutes it takes to apply could save your skin and potentially your life in the long run.
"Shockingly each year more than 430,000 Australians are treated for non-melanoma skin cancer - a cancer that is entirely preventable through good sun protection habits." Mr Foster said men in particular needed to pick up their game.
The latest report issued by Queensland's Chief Health Officer found women are more than twice as likely as men to lather on the sunscreen when they head outdoors.
The report revealed 49% of women, compared with 22% of men, wore sunscreen if they spent more than 15 minutes outdoors between 10am and 3pm on a weekday.
As part of its SunWise campaign, Suncorp is warning all Queenslanders not to risk their lives and to follow its three simple SunWise tips - Avoid, Protect and Check*.
Suncorp has been a major sponsor of the skin cancer research laboratories at Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) since 2004 and has raised more than $1 million to help make significant discoveries in the fight against skin cancer.
Media contact: Sequel Communications, Kathryn Stevens ph: 3251 8145 or 0403 090 912