The Douglas Wright Foundation is a charitable organization devoted to fighting melanoma cancer in Canada by increasing awareness, educating the public about early detection and preventative measures, and fostering partnerships between likeminded organizations. Below are some of the initiatives the Douglas Wright Foundation has undertaken to further these goals.
#BeSunSafe Sunscreen Dispenser Program
Since the #BeSunSafe program began in 2017, our sunscreen dispensers have been used 2.1 million times, dispensing more than 1,050 litres of sunscreen to the public at waterfront park locations across Toronto. Our program has also donated 150 canopy tents to provide critical shade to those participating in City camp programming. This summer, 50 dispensers will be placed in select waterfront parks and in High Park and 200 litres of sunscreen will be provided to City of Toronto Day Camps. The #BeSunSafe program is in partnership with The David Cornfield Melanoma Fund.
The #BeSunSafe program website, besunsafe.ca, includes information about skin cancer, sun safety and a map showing the location of the dispensers.
Quotes:
"Toronto is great place to live, work and play during the summer months and we want to make sure that everyone who spends time outside is practising sun safety so that they can fully enjoy all the city has to offer."
- Mayor John Tory
"The waterfront is a unique treasure in our city, and one of the many spots where residents and visitors alike can enjoy summer. I’m pleased that our partners have expanded this initiative to additional locations so that more people from near and far can enjoy the sun safely."
- Councillor Joe Cressy (Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
"Protecting and promoting good health is important all year, and especially during summer months. Making sure to apply sunscreen regularly, wearing sunglasses and seeking shade while spending time outdoors are great ways to stay sun-safe in warmer temperatures. This initiative promotes positive health for our residents and visitors and I encourage everyone to enjoy summer activities while taking simple steps to protect themselves and reduce the risk of skin damage this time of year."
- Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health
"Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada. Protecting your skin in the sun is the best way to reduce your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Our sunscreen dispensers will raise awareness of skin cancer prevention and provide sun protection to thousands. We are very proud to expand our partnership with the City of Toronto and look forward to another summer of empowering Torontonians to be sun safe."
- Danielle Paterson, Executive Director of the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund and representative for the Douglas Wright Foundation.
SUN AWARE Camp Certification Program
In 2014 Melanoma Canada, in partnership with The Douglas Wright Foundation, launched the SUN AWARE camp program. The Canadian Dermatology Association award winning program is offered free of charge, and is designed to help protect children and teens from skin cancer. The SUN AWARE Program is an online course and certification for Canadian summer camp owners and directors. The goal of the program is to help camps implement best practices in sun safety and create sun safe policies and guidelines. The program also provides necessary training materials for camp councillors and staff.
The award winning program is free for participating camps and is the first of its kind in Canada! It is supported by the Ontario Camps Association, and has been awarded excellence in sun safety youth education by the Canadian Dermatology Association.
University of Toronto Douglas Wright Melanoma Award
The Douglas Wright Foundation has committed $100,000 to the University of Toronto Department of Medicine to create the Douglas Wright Melanoma Award. Awarded annually, The Douglas Wright Melanoma Award will inspire and encourage the 500 residents and 250 fellows in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto to embark on innovative melanoma-related research projects The award is the first of its kind at the University of Toronto.
There have been nine recipients of the Douglas Wright Melanoma Award. Our 2025 recipient, Dr. Luciana Siqueira’s study was titled Translating Emotional Distress into Immune Signatures: Interferon Responsiveness in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Outcomes.
New Family Rule Program
The Douglas Wright Foundation, in partnership with the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund, funded the development of a website and video for families outlining the need for sun protection and how to practice sun safety. The website includes FAQs for parents, information on Melanoma, a "How To" section on sun safety for parents and tools and activity sheets for children to teach them about the importance of sun safety and how to practice sun safety. The video has been viewed over 2.8 million times and is available on YouTube by clicking the button below. We encourage you to share the video with your friends, family and colleagues.
Melanoma Education Video
In educating themselves about melanoma, people often look to media such as websites, social networks and online videos. Unfortunately, much of the health information people find does not effectively get the information across, or lead to changes in habits.
In January 2013, the Douglas Wright Foundation committed funds to the development of a melanoma education video by Dr. Mike Evans. Dr. Mike is a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital and an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Mike's Reframe Health Lab has proven to bring together health care researchers, designers, artists, and others to devise compelling and innovative ways to deliver health messages. The video is available on YouTube by clicking the button below. We encourage you to share the video with your friends, family and colleagues.