About SCI

Our mission is to prevent and cure skin cancer

The Skin Cancer Institute is a non-profit organization that unites The University of Arizona Cancer Center’s many skin cancer prevention activities, bringing together innovative research, clinical care, education and community outreach.

We seek to:

Increase public awareness in sun safety and skin cancer detection strategies
Provide education and training for skin cancer patients, high-risk individuals, students and providers
Improve patient care through increased access and referral to dermatology clinic resources
Increase knowledge of the origins, prevention and treatment of skin cancer through research

OUR HISTORY

In April 2005, the Bert W. Martin Foundation funded the development of a Skin Cancer Institute (SCI) as part of the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, Arizona. Since that time, skin cancer researchers, clinicians and educators have:

Established the mission and goals for the Institute
Received formal University of Arizona approval for the Institute
Determined operating and clinical organizational structures
Developed specific educational programming for Arizona
Implemented unique clinical and educational programs for skin cancer patients and community members

All funding has helped in the development of the Institute and in its skin cancer care and research activities, and the annual Bert W. Martin Foundation gifts were pivotal for this development. Subsequent giving has supported the core Institute activities and allowed Institute members to launch a robust skin cancer prevention program.

The Skin Cancer Institute is poised to serve as THE model for community-based skin cancer research, care, and education in the United States.

We need your help to continue our important work! Please visit our giving page to learn more about how to help the Skin Cancer Institute in its mission to prevent and cure skin cancer.

OUR IMPACT

The Skin Cancer Institute (SCI) has had a long and positive impact on Tucson and its surrounding areas.

Since the advent of the Students Are Sun Safe (SASS) program in 2011, the SCI has trained over 400 UA students in how to deliver sun safe messages to younger populations. Those UA students have taught lessons in sun safety to over 7,500 middle and high school students at over 130 schools. We are extending this service to the larger community through our Community Ambassadors for Skin Cancer Prevention.

We offer seed grants to new scientists at the University of Arizona, and have granted almost 30 awards since 2010 thanks to generous donors. Learn more about the research being done here.

Our impact on the larger community has also been significant. We have attended over 350 community events and reached at least 60,000 people with sun safe messages. Plus, we offer sunscreen to businesses as part of our Protect Your Skin (PYS) program, and sunscreen stations are also available to rent.

We hope that this work toward our mission to cure and prevent skin cancer continues to have a strong impact on our community for many years to come!

Help fund our programs

Contact information:

Phone: 1-888-724-2749

E-mail: contactsci@uacc.arizona.edu