Seeing the impact of cancer first-hand, Ellis Schroeder (16 | Atlanta, Georgia) is on a mission to promote and reduce barriers to skin cancer prevention. Skin cancer is the most preventable type of cancer, yet it remains as the most common form of cancer in the United States. Ellis was upset to learn how many teenagers are unaware of skin cancer prevention and how harmful the disease can be as well as this lack of information was due to disparities in access to healthcare and health education.

To educate teens and adults about skin cancer prevention, Ellis created DermaTeens in 2022. DermaTeens works to raise awareness primarily through youth-written articles. Each article is written using research from field experts and address all types of dermatological issues including diseases (like skin cancer) and their presentation on different skin tones, the impact of the environment and other factors on our skin, and how to properly care for our skin. Ellis and his team also created a notification system, The Sunscreen Alarm, which notifies people throughout the day reminders to apply or reapply sunscreen. Over the past two years, Ellis has reached 100,000 teenagers through DermaTeens and has raised over $7,000 to bring free sunscreen to Atlanta through dispensers at area parks and with sun protection packages for people experiencing homelessness. Because of Ellis’ work, people have changed their behaviors and people who previously did not have access to sun protection now have and use the tools to prevent skin cancer.