Live In Our Skinz!

Not only does UV Skinz produce amazing swim shirts, but they love to take advantage of an opportunity to give back. Read the article below…and be inspired! After reading please think hard for a non-profit that you think would benefit from a donation of UV Skinz swim shirts!

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Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp gives countless children with cancer and other serious illnesses the opportunity to just be kids. UV Skinz hopes to follow their lead by sharing the message that all kids should feel free to play safely in the sun!

SONORA, CA – November 1, 2008 – At the heart of UV Skinz UPF 50+ protective outdoor wear company, is the primary and passionate objective of getting children covered from the devastating destruction that the sun’s damaging UV rays can cause. With continued philanthropic dedication to this effort, UV Skinz has donated 250 protective swimshirts to Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for seriously ill children and their families.

September marked the passing of Newman, who became a great humanitarian in support of children with serious illnesses. September also proved to be a life-changing month for UV Skinz founder, Rhonda Sparks, as the month marks the seventh year since the passing of her 32-year old husband, Darren Lee Farwell, who died of melanoma.

The driving force behind Sparks’ founding of UV Skinz in 2005 was, in large part, to honor her late husband’s wish to educate the public about skin cancer awareness and inspire people to take responsibility for preventing a very preventable type of cancer. “The decision to donate the shirts to the Hole in the Wall Camp was a natural one for several reasons,” says Sparks. “These kids have had their childhoods robbed from them in so many ways. If we can get them covered when they are out having fun in the sun at camp and also put some smiles on their faces with our whimsical styles, then all the better.” Paul Newman founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp  in Connecticut back in 1988 with associated camps subsequently opened in Connecticut, New York, Florida, California, North Carolina and even abroad in Ireland, Italy, Hungary, France, The United Kingdom, Africa and Asia. Each year, over 1,000 children aged seven to fifteen are selected to attend the summer camp in Connecticut at no charge. The camp provides on site medical care, supervision and monitoring of children who cannot attend a typical summer camp because of their illnesses including cancer, AIDS, hemophilia and sickle cell disease.Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for seriously ill children and their families.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp also provides year-round services including retreats for parents and a “Camp-in-a-Suitcase” Hospital Outreach program that brings encouragement to hospitalized children in New England hospitals and clinics. The organization plans to open several more camps throughout the U.S., in Japan and in the Middle East in the spirit that sick children throughout the world should be able to enjoy the experiences of childhood that might otherwise be unattainable to them.

Sparks had three boys with Farwell, who led an active outdoor surf and ski lifestyle, which Farwell himself was convinced led to the development of his melanoma. Sparks is determined that her sons not suffer the same fate as their father but she also does not want to restrict them from playing and living under the sun. “Mr. Newman’s camp is designed to provide ill children and their families with a first-rate camp experience. What is camping but enjoying all that the outdoors has to offer? The fact that many of these children have cancer makes the cause that much more endearing to me.”

UV Skinz protect wearers from UV damage primarily through the tight nylon/spandex weave that blocks out 98% of harmful UV rays. While Sparks says that UV Skinz “main goal is to keep babies, children and adults UV damage-free,” the benefits of the line do not stop with human protection but also carry over to the environment as well. “Because UV Skinz are chemical-free, pollutants normally released into the water from the use of sunscreens are mitigated and those with skin sensitivities or allergies to sunscreen have an option for coverage,” Sparks maintains.

“Paul Newman dedicated the last twenty years to serving seriously ill children and their families,” Rhonda Sparks asserts, “UV Skinz hopes to spend the next twenty years helping to prevent children and adults from contracting the 90% of melanoma and other skin cancer related diseases that can be prevented with more diligent sun protection. I can’t think of a better or more fitting tribute to Mr. Newman than to send our shirts to his beloved camp.”

UV Skinz produces hip, high quality UPF 50+ outdoor wear for babies, kids and adults. After UV Skinz founder, Rhonda Sparks, lost her 32-year old husband to skin cancer, she made it her mission to get babies, kids and adults covered from the potentially harmful dangers of the sun. UV Skinz is also committed to taking every opportunity to promote awareness of and education about skin cancer. UVskinz.com offers information and links for health conscious consumers interested in finding out more on how to fight skin cancer.

Do you know of a non-profit that would benefit from receiving UV Skinz swim shirts? Please leave the name of the organization in the comment section! Thanks!