23 Jun S.A.M. Fund Helps Spread Melanoma Awareness
The Miami County Community Foundation and the Swing Against Melanoma Initiative partnered up to install sunscreen dispensers on Miami County golf courses. Courses include Rock Hollow, Peru Municipal, Rhedin, and Indiana Oaks. The Foundation’s Swing Against Melanoma, or S.A.M fund was created by Sam Murphy’s family to raise awareness for skin cancer.
Sam Murphy passed away in 2008 from terminal melanoma. To honor his legacy, the family started a fund in 2016 to provide support for programs that could help save lives through prevention and education. Sam’s sister, Jane, came up with the idea for sunscreen dispensers after seeing them sprinkled throughout Florida. Sam’s love for golf and the increased sun exposure when golfing inspired the family to put dispensers on local golf courses.
Siblings Dave, Jim, and Jane with MCCF Director Cheryl Broyles posing with one of the sunscreen dispensers.
This project will help with the prevention of skin cancer for golfers who love the game as much as Sam did. Sunscreen is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. With dispensers on courses, it makes protection accessible and easy.
The project not only honors Sam Murphy’s memory but also serves as a practical reminder that small preventive measures can make a significant difference in protecting individuals from the harmful effects of prolonged sun exposure.
Through the S.A.M. Fund, Sam Murphy’s legacy continues to make a difference by promoting awareness, prevention, and education surrounding skin cancer. Those interested in supporting the fund’s efforts can make a donation online, or contact Cheryl Broyles at the Miami County Community Foundation at 765.470.1778 or miami@nicf.org to learn more.