Community-wide effort with RDK Melanoma Foundation brings prevention, education, and access to Greater Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA (4/8/26) — Dermatology Partners, the largest physician-led dermatology group in the Mid-Atlantic, has teamed up with the Richard David Kann (RDK) Melanoma Foundation and the Mike Schmidt Foundation to take on skin cancer—using the reach and passion of baseball to connect with communities across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.
From Little League fields to Minor League stadiums, the initiative will deliver sun safety education, free sunscreen access, and on-site engagement where fans and families already gather—at the ballpark.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting one in five Americans, yet it is highly preventable with the right awareness and protection.
“Baseball brings communities together like few other things can,” said Andrew Kay, Executive Vice President of Growth at Dermatology Partners. “By teaming up with the RDK Melanoma Foundation and Mike Schmidt, we’re meeting fans where they are—on the field and in the stands—to make sun safety part of the game-day routine.”
Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt knows that message firsthand as he was diagnosed with melanoma in 2013.
“As a professional baseball player, I spent most of my career in the sun—without sunscreen,” Schmidt said. “While my career was thriving, my skin was being damaged by the harmful rays of the sun. Now, I’m committed to making sure the next generation of players and fans understands how to protect themselves.”
The partnership will kick off with “Play Sun Safe” events at local youth baseball and softball organizations, combining education with unforgettable fan experiences. Early community activations include installations of sunscreen dispensers and ongoing refills at organizations such as the Doylestown Athletic Association, Ridley Area Little League, Ridley Township Parkers, and Ridley High School Athletics.
The campaign is also stepping onto a bigger stage through partnerships with Minor League Baseball teams, including the Reading Fightin’ Phils (Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) and the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals), expanding the message to thousands of fans throughout the season.
“At the RDK Melanoma Foundation, our mission has always been simple but urgent: to save lives through education about the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, especially melanoma,” said Deborah Kann Schwarzberg, President and Founder of the RDK Melanoma Foundation. “Through our partnership with Dermatology Partners, we are expanding that mission in meaningful ways—reaching more communities, and more young people with the knowledge that early detection and sun safety truly save lives. When leaders in dermatology, community health, and public influence come together with a shared purpose, we create the kind of awareness that can change—and protect—generations.”
The first Play Sun Safe events will take place April 17 in Ridley Park and April 21 in Doylestown and are open to the public.
More information on the Play Sun Safe Initiative and the partnership is available here.
About The RDK Melanoma Foundation
President and Founder Debbie Schwarzberg created the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation in memory of her brother, Dicky Kann, who passed away far too young from a late detected melanoma. Debbie devoted much of the rest of her life to the mission of saving lives through education about the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, specifically melanoma.
More than 27 years later, RDK is accomplishing mission through several nationwide programs designed to educate children and give them the skills necessary to make healthy sun safety choices throughout their lives. As the Foundation grows, we will continue to advocate for school districts throughout the country to require sun safety education as part of their curriculum.
About The Mike Schmidt Foundation
The RDK Melanoma Foundation is based out of West Palm Beach, FL, near where Phillies legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt spends some of his time throughout the year. After being diagnosed with melanoma nearly 10 years ago, Mike was introduced to the organization through his oncologist. Passionate about educating others on how to prevent this terrible disease, Mike decided to join the board of directors and take a more hands-on approach in helping with this lifesaving cause. Quickly he found a way to spread the RDK sun safe message and programming with the community he called home for his 20-year MLB career: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Now, Mike Schmidt leads a dedicated team of sponsors and partners in the city to make sure everyone is informed and protected – The Mike Schmidt Skin Cancer Prevention Initiative, a division of the RDK Melanoma Foundation.
