Free Sunscreen Dispensers Coming to NH Communities—Apply by April 6
As New Hampshire moves toward spring and summer, a simple but powerful public health effort is gaining momentum: making sunscreen more accessible in the places where people live, work, and gather.
Through a partnership between the New Hampshire Cancer Partnership, Dartmouth Cancer Center, and IMPACT Melanoma, community organizations across the state now have an opportunity to receive free sunscreen dispensers as part of a statewide prevention initiative.
For organizations that have been considering applying, the deadline is fast approaching. Applications must be submitted by April 6 at 5:00 PM, and the process itself takes only a few minutes.
The importance of this effort is straightforward but significant. Exposure to ultraviolet light remains one of the leading risk factors for melanoma, and in New Hampshire alone, the American Cancer Society estimates approximately 470 new cases will be diagnosed in 2026. Sun exposure is not limited to peak summer heat or beach days. It occurs year-round and is often underestimated, particularly in environments common across the state such as lakes, pools, trails, and open recreational areas. Water, for example, can reflect up to 90 percent of UVA rays, increasing exposure even when individuals feel cool or shaded.
The sunscreen dispenser program is designed to address this gap in a practical way. By placing sunscreen in visible, high-use community locations, the program helps normalize and encourage everyday sun protection. At least twenty organizations across New Hampshire will receive an automated dispenser along with an initial supply of sunscreen, making it easy for community members to take a simple step that can reduce long-term risk.
Participation does come with a commitment, but it is a manageable one. Organizations are asked to maintain the dispenser, purchase refills once the initial supply is used—typically around $80 per refill—and store the unit indoors during the winter months. Just as important, sites are encouraged to support at least one additional sun safety effort, whether that is sharing information through social media, offering basic education to visitors, or modeling sun-safe practices among staff and volunteers. These small actions help reinforce a broader culture of prevention.
For those looking to expand their efforts, additional tools and educational materials are available through IMPACT Melanoma and the Dartmouth Cancer Center, including resources that can be adapted beyond schools for use in parks, camps, and other community settings.
What makes this initiative stand out is its simplicity. Public health does not always require complex systems or large-scale interventions. Sometimes, it is about making the healthy choice the easy choice—placing sunscreen within reach, raising awareness, and encouraging small, consistent actions that add up over time.
For communities across New Hampshire, this is an opportunity to take a visible, practical step toward reducing skin cancer risk. And with the application deadline just days away, now is the time to act.
How to Apply
Applications for the NH Sunscreen Dispenser are open to organizations across the state and must be submitted by April 6 at 5:00 PM. Selected sites will be notified by the end of April. For more information or to apply, organizations can contact NH.Cancer.Partnership@dartmouth.edu.
