Proclamation List- UV Sun Safety Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

UV Sun Safety Awareness Month

WHEREAS, ultraviolet (UV) light is an invisible type of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps; and

WHEREAS, overexposure to UV rays can damage skin cells and lead to skin cancer, and skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States; and

WHEREAS, there were 10,625 new cases of melanomas of the skin, a type of skin cancer, in Virginia from 2017-2021; and

WHEREAS, melanoma of the skin is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Virginia, with thousands of new cases and hundreds of deaths reported annually, posing a significant public health concern; and

WHEREAS, Virginia experiences high to extreme UV index levels during the summer months, especially near beaches and mountains, increasing the risk for all residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapplying every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off, helps to prevent overexposure to UV rays; and

WHEREAS, other protective behaviors, including staying in the shade, wearing long-sleeved shirts or long pants/skirts, wearing a hat, and wearing sunglasses, help to prevent skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, recognizing UV Sun Safety Awareness Month in July will promote sun-safe behaviors and help to promote skin cancer prevention across all communities in Virginia;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize July 2025, as UV SUN SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations