SanDiego.Padres.MLB.com

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Since moving to our downtown ballpark, the Padres have supported the Family Health Centers of San Diego's annual "Day at the Padres" event (with the exception of 2005). In 2008 alone the Family Health Centers of San Diego raised more than $615,000 through this exciting event. Funds raised were allocated to the relocation and expansion of the City Heights Family Health Center. For more information on the Family Health Centers of San Diego, please visit www.fhcsd.org or call (619) 515-2300.

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In support of this cross-border community hospital, the Padres support the Hospital Infantil and Foundation for the Children of the Californias with a Day at the Padres event. This program, which began in 2004, raised more than $565,000 for the Hospital's medical procedures and education programs. For more information on the Hospital Infantil and Foundation for the Children of the Californias please visit www.usfcc.org or call (619) 298-KIDS(5437).

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Join the Padres and the San Diego Blood Bank for the Annual Padres-Themed Blood and Bone Marrow Drive at Fry's Electronics in Mission Valley on Friday, August 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All blood donors will be awarded a Padres Beach Towel. The first 300 blood donors will also be awarded a choice of a pair of Padres tickets to an upcoming game this season or a commemorative Padres 40th Anniversary jersey. Pat & Oscar's will serve blood donors pizza, breadsticks and salad from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments will not be accepted for this special event blood drive. Tickets and jerseys will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. The Drive will also feature free bone barrow testing. Potential bone marrow donors may also join the Be The Match registry of the National Marrow Donor Program® at this blood drive free of charge with a simple cheek swab. To qualify to join the registry all you need is to:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 60
• Be willing to donate to any patient in need
• Meet the health guidelines

Anyone at least 17 years old, in good health, and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood. A good meal is recommended prior to donation. Don't miss this chance to Make a Difference in Life! For additional information, please visit call 800-469-7322.

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Major League Baseball supports several health initiatives. Projects include the Mother's Day Breast Cancer Awareness which helps raise money and awareness for breast cancer, Father's Day Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge which helps raise money and awareness of prostate cancer; and Play Smart When it Comes to the Sun, a league-wide skin cancer awareness program in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the American Academy of Dermatology.

• Breast Cancer Awareness
  The Padres and a number of their players join other MLB teams to help raise awareness for breast cancer on Mother's Day, by select players using pink Louisville Slugger bats, players wearing pink wristbands and displaying pink ribbons on player uniforms, as well as those of all on-field personnel. The breast cancer awareness theme is carried throughout the game, including pink ribbon logos on the bases and commemorative home plates, and pink dugout lineup cards. Team-autographed commemorative home plates, pink bats and lineup cards from each ballpark are also auctioned off on MLB.com at a later date with proceeds to raise additional funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I'M AWARE.
  
  
• Prostate Cancer Foundation's Home Run Challenge
  The Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge allows everyone to join in the fight against prostate cancer by raising money for research through America's favorite pastime-baseball. The Padres, along with the other 29 Major League teams, players, managers and owners, team up with the PCF to fight the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in America. During Father's Day week, each home run hit in 60 selected games, raises money to fight prostate cancer. Since 1997, more than $33 million has been raised by MLB specifically for improving the process of medical research and improving research progress against all forms of cancer. For more information, please visit www.prostatecancerfoundation.org or call 1-800-757-2873.
  
  
• Play it Safe in the Sun
  The San Diego Padres have supported Major League Baseball and the Players Association in their partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology to fight skin cancer. The "Play Sun Smart" program, which celebrated its 10th season in 2008, is aimed at educating people about the dangers of skin cancer and is near and dear to the heart of Commissioner Bud Selig, as well as several MLB players and managers.
  
  By "Being Sun Smart" and taking these precautions, everyone can have "fun in the sun."
  
  
  1. Generously apply water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B rays to all exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Look for the AAD seal of recognition on products that meet these criteria.
  2. Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
  3. Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
  4. Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, using protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.
  5. Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as those elements reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
  6. Get Vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek Vitamin D solely from the sun.
  7. Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
  
  In summation, taking precautions and undergoing skin screening can go a long way to warding off skin cancer.
  
  "The baseball community continues to set a good example of sun-safe behavior," said Dr. Brian B. Adams, a dermatologist and chair of the academy's sports committee. "We encourage everyone, including baseball players and fans, to regularly conduct skin self-examinations to look for signs of skin cancer, which can be successfully treated if caught early."
  

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