Learning Program for Healthy Living Component to Promote Cancer Prevention
Students enjoy bikes Ridley-Tree Cancer Center generously donated to support FITS’s expanded bike program in partnership with the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition/BiCi Centro. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA – Ridley-Tree Cancer Center has expanded its partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Fun in the Sun (FITS) to implement a Healthy Living Program. This partnershipeducates and promotes healthy living and lifestyle in FITS participants grades 2nd through 12th.
FITS is a free six-week program that addresses summer learning loss and pandemic-related learning loss through hands-on, project-based lessons, utilizing the best services and ideas from 80+ local public and private organizations. Students engage in academic rotations focused on literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) as well as participate in social, emotional and mental wellness activities.
Ridley-Tree Cancer Center’s Healthy Living Program will provide their Sun Safety curriculum called RAYS, which has lessons on sun safety, skin cancer awareness and how to enjoy the sun in a safe and healthy way. They have also donated sunscreen and canopies for every site.
In addition, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center generously donated to support FITS’s expanded bike program in partnership with the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition/BiCi Centro. Students will be able to learn how to safely ride in their community while learning how to maintain their bikes. Some students have never had the opportunity to ride bikes of their own previously.
Ridley-Tree Cancer Center’s partnership is a crucial component of Fun in the Sun. With students having been indoors for much of the year, they will be able to get back into healthy physical activity habits. Through the expanded bicycle program, students will gain confidence in their riding skills, learn bicycle maintenance skills, and learn how to ride safely in their communities on safe bike routes in their own neighborhoods. Parents and students will be able to continue to develop their biking skills through their local BiCi Centro chapters during the year as well.
“The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center has partnered with Fun in the Sun for 20 years to encourage healthy habits around sun safety,” said Lisa Winebrenner, Wellness and Community Outreach Manager of the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. “We are excited to now expand our partnership to include the biking program so that students will be encouraged to get outside and exercise. Establishing healthy habits when kids are young can help lower their risk of developing cancer later in life.”
“We are extremely grateful that the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center has expanded its partnership with us for Fun in the Sun with so many students in need of extra support this year,” said Steve Ortiz, President and CEO of United Way. “Now that restrictions have lifted, it is very important to help students cultivate mental and physical wellness through time outdoors.”
About United Way of Santa Barbara County — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has the unique and positive vision that “in our community, everyone has a hopeful future.” Since 1923, UWSBC has served Santa Barbara County community through funding, volunteer development, and by utilizing its own unique initiatives that involve dozens of local nonprofit and public sector agencies. UWSBC’s local community driven Power of Partnership™ priorities help children, families and seniors with a focus on Education, Income and Health. To learn more, please visit unitedwaysb.org