OK OK, I Admit To Hibernation

Now that it’s spring, the cold and finals induced exhaustion has melted with the snow, and it is time to get ready for a hot and steamy summer. Yes, that’s exactly right. Now, here’s the truth, I met Hugh Jackman this week. And if I didn’t believe the hotter months were here just yet, seeing tables of ladies around me fanning themselves and swooning at Hugh’s lovely Aussie accent was definitely enough to convince me.

What a great way to start the week.

Now, you’re probably wondering why you haven’t seen much of this Sydney native in the news too frequently. But quite honestly, he’s been busy. In 2013 Jackman was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, to those of us without medical degrees, and in fact the “kind of skin cancer you should hope to get if you’re going to get it,” as Jackman put it. In the time since his diagnosis, Jackman has had four skin cancers removed. But he has not let this stop him from doing the things he loves.

In addition to playing the roles of husband and father to his adorable family, and taking on some professional acting roles as well, Jackman has impressively used his spare time to start raising awareness about how unprotected sun exposure really can and does lead to a lot of complications.

So how does Jackman; aka Wolverine, X-Man, Hubby, Daddy, etc. decide to do this most efficiently while helping lower the numbers of those affected by unwarranted dangerous sun exposure? He analyzes the reasons why people don’t wear sunscreen, and then launches a brand of sunscreen, Pure Sun Defense, that seems inexcusable not to purchase.

According to Jackman, the number one reason that people don’t wear sunscreen is price. He jokes that when he was in college, he had to choose between “eating dinner and slathering lotion on my body. For me back then, I hungrily cut costs where I thought I needed to.” (Good thing you’re broke college days are over, right Hugh? Don’t think you could’ve made Wolverine status without a couple hundred dollars of steaks…)

Yet, what Jackman came to find later in life was that 1 in 2 Australians and 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetimes. And what is most horrifying about this is that this horrible disease is something that one can take minimal steps to prevent.

So to start engraining this in society, Jackman decided it most efficient to start with parents, by designing Pure Sun Defense, a sunscreen brand that is both hypoallergenic, pediatrician approved and affordable at less than $6. The bottles are designed with characters from Disney and Marvel, to excite kids about using the sunscreen, while being the smart and affordable choice for parents— and I mean, you’re never too old for princesses, right?

The MOMS Network did a great job choosing to host this event at the classy and glamorous Hunt and Fish Club (Like WOW check out these pictures). Where even an astronomical mimosa bill cannot deter you from being inspired by the great Hugh Jackman who, has taken to fighting skin cancer with the same vigor as the Wolverine — but sans the claws (for now.)