Visitors to Hershey Gardens now have access to some extra shade thanks to the Department of Dermatology at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The department’s Community Advisory Board recently presented 50 sun umbrellas to representatives of Hershey Gardens. The umbrellas have specially treated fabric that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays, forming a virtually impenetrable barrier to the sun. They will be available for visitors to borrow while they stroll through the gardens’ 23 acres on weekends in May. The umbrellas will be available daily beginning on May 30 (Memorial Day).
The donation of the umbrellas marks the latest initiative launched as part of the Sun Protection Project, overseen by the Department of Dermatology’s Community Advisory Board. The board is composed of dermatologists and members of the surrounding community.
“If you left your sunscreen at home, if you have sun sensitivity or if you’re just concerned about skin damage, using a sun umbrella can make all the difference,” said Michael Ioffreda, M.D., associate professor of dermatology and pathology, who also coordinates the Sun Protection Project.
The umbrellas were the idea of advisory board member Ginny Lutkewitte. “I found all sorts of pictures of Catherine Hershey with parasols,” Lutkewitte said. “I loved the idea of bringing back the parasol for Hershey Gardens, tapping into the history of Catherine Hershey and combining it with the Dermatology Advisory Board’s Sun Protection Project.”