Our Destination Healthy Skin RV is taking a break for the winter after spending six months on the road. From May to July and again from September through November, the odometer clocked a total of more than 14,000 miles. And thanks to the help of 71 volunteer dermatologists in 39 cities, The Skin Cancer Foundation provided 2,391 free skin cancer screenings! Below are some highlights from our events during the second half of the season.
Heading Out West
Before hitting the road to make our way to the Pacific region of the country, the RV stopped for a special event at Indianapolis Colts Training Camp in Indiana. Volunteer dermatologists C. William Hanke, MD; Kelly McCoy, MD and Terry Brogan, MD screened 55 fans, who also took advantage of the free sunscreen samples courtesy of EltaMD Skin Care, Jergens Natural Glow and Sun Bum.
The RV visited Rockford, Ill., in early September, where Maria Al-Basha, MD, and her team volunteered for the second time this year. (They also helped out in April in Schaumburg, Ill.!) Following this, Destination Healthy Skin made its way out west for some incredible events in Sundance and Park City, Utah. Amidst stunning fall foliage, volunteer dermatologists screened 141 people over three days in the “Beehive State,” identifying 88 suspected skin cancers and precancers.
Next up was Idaho Falls, where participants stopped by the RV after seeing posts on social media or hearing about us from family members who knew we were coming. One man, a farmer of many years, was particularly grateful to get a screening — he rarely used sunscreen and had never gotten a skin exam before. The doctor identified two suspected actinic keratoses on his nose, and the team gave him information on next steps to take care of them.
When October rolled around, it was time for the RV to head out to the Pacific Northwest. Sidney Smith, MD, a committed supporter of the program for many years, volunteered for two days in Richland, Wash. We continued through Washington to Seattle (where some participants drove in from as far away as Portland!) then finished up with an event in Tacoma.
A furry friend offers support to one participant filling out her exam forms in Seattle.
Dr. Smith and his team take a quick break for a photo between screenings.
Sun & Supporters Throughout Fall
We spent the rest of the month in California, stopping for an event in San Francisco before visiting the Los Angeles area. The Natural SKN Company, Founding Waiting Room Sponsor of the new Destination Healthy Skin RV, hosted the RV at its headquarters in Burbank before collaborating with the program for an event at The Grove in L.A. Energy was through the roof as participants enjoyed a DJ set while waiting for screenings! Several social media influencers stopped by to show support for skin cancer awareness. The momentum continued through our two days in Encinitas, where we visited our friends at Sun Bum. Leela Athalye, DO, and Ole Snyder, MD, screened nearly 100 people over two days.
When the RV rolled into Arizona, more of our friends and supporters were waiting to team up for some great events. We kicked off our events at Massage Envy in Scottsdale with live KNXV-TV interviews with our volunteer dermatologist Katerina Warda, DO. Next, we headed across town to EltaMD Skin Care’s headquarters to perform screenings for employees of the brand, which has been a sponsor of Destination Healthy Skin for several years.
After two quick stops in Kansas City and Cincinnati, where we provided sunscreen samples and educational materials to more than 250 people, it was time for the RV to head back home to Illinois. While the team was sad to pack it in for the year, we were all proud of the impact we made in 2025.
The team had some spooky fun at our event in Encinitas the day before Halloween.
DHS volunteer Dr. Peterson Pierre was all smiles at our event in Burbank.
Our friends at Massage Envy show off their Destination Healthy Skin fans in Scottsdale.
Personal Impact
We asked some of our final participants what getting a screening meant to them. Here’s what they had to say:
“Superior, excellent experience that really helps me to release my stressful suspicion of my skin lesion. Thank you so much!!!”
“I am so grateful that this was offered today! I have Medicaid, and they wouldn’t do this for me.”
“I’m so thankful for the generosity of the volunteers, who are truly saving lives!”
“I have a family history of melanoma, so this gives me piece of mind, knowing I am able to keep an eye on myself.”
“I am very grateful for this service, as I recently lost my job, and screenings are expensive.”
“It’s a great resource for the community, especially when it can be difficult to get to a doctor.”
The 2025 Destination Healthy Skin program was made possible in part by generous support from EltaMD Skin Care, Jergens Natural Glow, Merck & Co., Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb, Castle Biosciences, dsm-firmenich, Sun Bum and The Lynne Waxman Foundation. The new RV’s exterior wrap and UV-protective window tint were provided by Avery Dennison and installed by Chicago Wrap, and its extendable awning was provided by Sunbrella.
