FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jeannie Gaines
(334) 206-5537
The Alabama Department of Public Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (ACCCP) has awarded seven mini-grants to build shade structures at selected public schools across the state. This is the program’s first shade structure grant award.
“A lot of times children don’t have ways to escape the sun during recess or other outside activities. We wanted to provide these schools with a way to protect their students while they’re outside. Skin cancer is a major cause for concern, and if we can protect these kids and teach them to take preventative steps while they’re young, then they’ll have a better chance of avoiding skin cancer throughout their life,” said Gavin Graf, program director.
The request for proposal (RFP) was released in October of 2015, and open to any public school within the state. The grant was to provide for the construction of an on-campus shade structure in an area of high use. Applicants also agreed to host an assembly focused on cancer prevention, with information presented by the ACCCP staff. Applicants were assigned a statewide cancer coalition member to act as a coalition liaison, and to provide support during the application process.
Matt Allison, chairman of the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition (ACCCC), said, “As a coalition we were blown away by the level and number of applications we received for the shade structure grants. When we initially discussed this grant process, we were not sure if schools and communities would respond to the opportunities. We could not be happier with the outcome and involvement of coalition members with schools across Alabama. While we were not able to fund all of our applicants, we are excited to begin construction this spring on the seven schools that received awards. This process has attracted new members to the ACCCC and will build infrastructure that will impact thousands of kids for years to come.”
Applicants were asked to submit an essay and photos of the area in which they wished to construct the shade structure. Applications were judged on area utilization, direct sun exposure, number of students affected, and need. Seven applicants were selected for funding:
• Eufaula Elementary School - Eufaula, Ala.
• Eufaula Primary School - Eufaula, Ala.
• Hall-Kent Elementary School - Homewood, Ala.
• Hokes Bluff Middle School - Hokes Bluff, Ala.
• McDavid-Jones Elementary School - Citronelle, Ala.
• Meadowview Elementary School - Alabaster, Ala.
• Red Bay High School - Red Bay, Ala.
Construction of these shade structures will begin in June and will be completed by fall 2016. For information on potential future funding opportunities, please contact Jeannie Gaines at [email protected].
ACCCC is a statewide network of physicians, organizations, medical groups, cancer patients, cancer survivors, and interested individuals dedicated to reducing the impact and burden of cancer in Alabama.