A little over a decade ago I started a children’s clothing line. I spent years getting it off the ground, enjoyed some success, learned a ton and made many many friends in “the industry”. My manufacturing mom friends are a lot like my mom blogger friends. A sisterhood. Somehow, we manage to stay in touch.
I particularly love to hear what’s going on with Rhonda Sparks of UVSkinz.
The story behind her company is one of heartbreak, but also one of hope. Rhonda lost her husband Darren, and her sons lost their father, far far too young. Skin cancer claimed his life at 32, an age when he should have been raising his young family. Darren was an active snowboarder and surfer and had spent his childhood outdoors, frequently sunburnt.
Rhonda was determined to continue to raise her family loving the outdoors. Her search for truly sun safe rash guards for her own children is what led her to create UV Skinz.
And now her work, and Darren’s memory, are saving countless other kids (including my own who have all grown up in UVSkinz) from sunburns – one beach & pool day at a time. What difference does one sunburn make? It could be all the difference in the world. Just one bad burn in childhood doubles the risk of melanoma later in life. Think about it. All it takes is one careless afternoon. And all it may have taken to prevent that burn is one tiny little swim shirt.
In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, UV Skinz is including a free special edition 12/24m Baby Skinz with every order placed during the month of May. It doesn’t matter if you have a baby or not. Odds are you know one, and can gift it. Or donate it to a local shelter. You could be saving a life.
In addition to packing a Baby Skinz with every order this month, UVSkinz are donating thousands of baby UV Skinz swim shirts to maternity wards and pediatrician offices across the nation.
Protecting our children from becoming the one in five Americans who will be diagnosed with skin cancer within their lifetimes starts from day one! Teaching safe sun habits to every child is imperative to help eradicate a disease that is almost entirely preventable.
I’m fortunate to have met so many amazing women manufacturers and I think you will agree with me when I say that Rhonda is truly amazing.
Please help spread the word about the free Baby Skinz. If you’re looking for some swimwear for camp or travel this summer – now’s the time to order. I know we will!
Disclosure: This one is straight from the heart. No sponsorship, no product for review. Just pure admiration for my peer and the excellent company she’s built. She’s save my family’s skin on countless occasions.
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