VAL SKINNER FOUNDATION CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF DECODING CANCER CURRICULUM WITH DISCOVERY EDUCATION AT 17TH ANNUAL LIFE EVENT
BAY HEAD, N.J. – Former LPGA professional Val Skinner is hosting her 17th annual LIFE Event (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate breast cancer) on Monday, July 18 at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, N.J. Once again, some of the biggest names on the LPGA Tour will be on hand to help Skinner raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research. To date the LIFE Event has raised over 10 million dollars for the Foundation.
At the 2015 event, Skinner announced a partnership with Discovery Education to launch an interactive biology and genetics education program supporting the study of cancer in high school classrooms. The website featuring the curriculum, www.decodingcancer.org, launched in January. It offers a collection of standards-aligned, interactive classroom resources developed to help students and their families understand the science behind cancer, enhance science literacy and increase cancer awareness among youth. Decoding Cancer is powered by BioCONECT, a curriculum developed by the LIFE Center at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Val Skinner Foundation.
“By reaching kids at a young age and educating them on the science of cancer, we are also helping them become aware of the critical importance of early detection, which is a cornerstone message of my foundation,” said Skinner. “BioCONECT has proven to be an incredibly effective tool in classrooms in pilot programs in New Jersey, South Carolina and Florida. This partnership with Discovery Education now gives Decoding Cancer a much-needed national platform.”
“Cancer touches and deeply affects millions of people across the nation each and every day,” said Mark Case, science teacher at North Carolina’s Guilford County Schools. “That’s why it’s essential that we support the study of cancer in the classroom today and empower educators with engaging, dynamic tools they can easily integrate into instruction to teach their students about this topic and help them understand the emotional affects. I’m looking forward to using these cutting-edge resources in my classroom to help deepen my students’ understanding of the science behind cancer.”
In the six months since its launch, the program has already reached an estimated 200,000 students through downloaded program materials and it is estimated that it will reach in excess of 500,000 students in the first year alone. Through a partnership with Discovery Education and the TLC Network, the program has resulted in more than seven million potential social impressions and more than 12 million impressions via DiscoveryEducation.com.
Over the past 16 years, the Val Skinner Foundation LIFE Event has been one of the largest single-day breast cancer fundraisers in the country. In addition to funding Decoding Cancer, the Val Skinner Foundation partners with the LPGA Tour’s top players to raise money for scientific research, early detection programs and clinical support for those affected by the disease.
Joining Skinner this year will be some of the brightest stars in women’s golf including:
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Brooke Pancake |
Anna Nordqvist |
Kathleen Ekey |
Sarah Jane Smith |
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Aza Munoz |
Guilia Molinaro |
Brittany Lang |
Madeleine Sheils |
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Tiffany Joh |
Amanda Blumenhurst |
Christina Kim |
Lee Lopez |
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Brianna Do |
Jessica Korda |
Cindy Rarick |
Michelle McGann |
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Marina Alex |
Emma Talley |
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“The LIFE Event has remained successful because of the understanding of LPGA players – both young and old, American and international – about the importance of the mission to eradicate breast cancer,” added Skinner. “The passion and emotion of this event is just as strong today as it was in year one.”
Funds raised through the LIFE Event have benefited a number of organizations including the LIFE Center at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Young Survival Coalition.
Skinner played on the LPGA Tour for 21 years, won six times and spent seven years ranked in the top 15 in the world. She is a member of three golf Halls of Fame and has received numerous awards for her philanthropy and advocacy for breast cancer research. In addition to overseeing her Foundation’s work, Skinner has competed on the Legends Tour and worked for more than 12 years with the Golf Channel.
More information on the Val Skinner Foundation, LIFE Event and programs funded by the event can be found at www.valskinnerfoundation.org.
