Education

In Schools

In keeping with Mike's dedication to the importance of education, the foundation is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of skin cancer and the need for understanding sun safety for children of all ages. Since most skin damage occurs before the age of 18, we feel the most crucial step to avoid melanoma is to learn these lessons early in life. To achieve this goal, we are working closely with the public school systems from many different towns around the state to develop the following programs:

  • Annual assemblies to the entire student body of each school with testimonials from melanoma survivors and dermatologists.
  • Develop a curriculum to be taught in health classes in every school during the course of the year.
  • Distribute educational materials designed to assist students and their parents understand the techniques of sun safety and early detection.

In Athletics

It is no secret that one of Mike's true loves was athletics. As an athlete himself, then as a respected and successful coach, Mike dedicated himself to teaching and bettering hundreds of athletes on and off the field. Unfortunately, the thousands of hours Mike spent on the sidelines in the sun without protection could have contributed to him getting Melanoma. In order to prevent other players and coaches from suffering the same fate, the foundation is committed to working with many townships youth athletic programs to initiate the following programs:

  • Attend township orientation programs at the beginning of each season with coaches, players and parents to inform them of the importance of sun safety.
  • Distribute samples of sunscreens to teams and coaches
  • Initiate sun safety programs at private and public pools across the state
  • Work with the Rutgers Youth Sports Research Council to develop a section of their curriculum for sun safety which is distributed to coached across the state.

For more information on our schools and athletics program, please contact us.

To be a part of the foundation or to make a donation, please visit our website at www.mikegeltrudefoundation.org or call 973-667-8650 for more information. You may also send donations to:

Mike Geltrude Foundation, Inc.
c/o Sal Cocco
281 Franklin Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110