While Ellis Schroeder started working with IMPACT Melanoma just over two years ago, his journey with skin education started well before then. During middle school, Ellis had severe chronic rosacea for which he was made fun of. Ellis decided to learn more about skin conditions so he could treat his rosacea but also have an educated response to any hurtful remarks made about how he looked. His research led him to establishing DermaTeens, an international youth-led nonprofit organization, dedicated to promoting sun safety and educating teens about skin health.
It began as an effort to spread awareness about skin conditions, but, Ellis acknowledges DermaTeens didn’t always promote sun safety. It was his aunt’s melanoma diagnosis and a meaningful conversation with a Stage 4 melanoma survivor that opened his eyes to the severity of skin cancer. As a rising senior in high school in Atlanta, Georgia, Ellis discovered that skin cancer is particularly prevalent in his community. Atlanta has some of the highest rates of health disparities and as such adverse health outcomes like skin cancer are more common. With his entrepreneurial spirit, Ellis researched the preventability of skin cancer and how to promote sun safety, leading him to IMPACT Melanoma.
Upon his conversations with IMPACT Melanoma, Ellis was immediately drawn to the Practice Safe Skin program that works with community partners and corporate sponsors to place sunscreen dispensers in outdoor spaces for access to free sunscreen. Ellis was struck by how the representatives he spoke with were so passionate about the cause. What struck Ellis the most is that while the spirit of the organization comes from hardship, it is positively used as the fuel for sun safety education to prevent skin cancer.
Ellis is a powerful example of not only what young people can achieve but a voice to reach his peers in promoting sun safety. Adopting sun safe habits early is essential. Having sunburns early in life increases one’s risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, its most dangerous form. Ellis has found his work with IMPACT Melanoma nothing short of amazing and IMPACT Melanoma is proud of the impact he has made in prevention education through DermaTeens and securing funding for more than 15 sunscreen dispensers in his community. He is an inspiration, and we can’t wait to see what else Ellis will accomplish to raise awareness and promote use of sunscreen.
Watch Ellis’s story here.
Learn more about Melanoma.
Contact us.

