Sunscreen dispensers coming soon to Marietta Square

MARIETTA, Ga. - The people who flock to the Marietta Square to enjoy the sunshine will soon have a way to protect themselves from it.

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Wednesday evening, the Marietta City Council approved a donation of four sunscreen dispensers by the Jamie Rabinowitch-Davis Foundation for Melanoma Research. One is slated to be installed on the popular central square.

"Statistics have shown that the use of sunscreen really reduces the risk of melanoma, which is the fastest growing cancer in our country right now," explained Renee Hatheway, who created the JRD Foundation after her sister's passing in 2003.  "It could save a lot of lives."

Rabinowitch-Davis had a cancerous mole removed from her back in 1999. She continued routine doctor visits to check on the spot, but it wasn't until she suffered serious headaches in October 2002 that physicians discovered the melanoma had spread to her brain. The 34-year-old mother died just nine months later.

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The JRD Foundation helps fund skin cancer research at Emory University. Private donations paid for the sunscreen dispensers and the ongoing cost of refilling them.

"This is very important to me, very near and dear to my heart and I just like to keep my sister's name alive," said Hatheway. "It's difficult."

The dispensers should be in place by the end of July.

Anyone who wants to donate or learn more about the sunscreen dispensers should visit JRDFoundation.org.