Someone Cares: Safe in the Sun

By offering sunscreen to fend off the heat, she helped a onlooker undergoing chemotherapy.

An illustration of two SPF sticks; Illustration by Coco Masuda

”I think she has a new haircut,” my daughter said about a fellow fan at an Indiana University football game one sunny day. We don’t know her name but have sat behind her and her family for several seasons. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a medicine pump, the kind prescribed for nausea after chemotherapy, on the woman’s upper left arm.

“No, I think she’s wearing a wig. Maybe she’s undergoing treatment,” I said.

As I reapplied sunscreen later in the game, I saw the woman roll up her sleeves to fend off the heat, then reverse the process to elude the burning rays.

With the game in hand, my family and I decided to leave a little early—we were all tired and hot. I stopped by the other devoted fan on our way out. “You look like you could use some sunscreen,” I said, giving her mine.

The woman took my hand and explained she had finished a chemo treatment the day before. “Of course another woman would know just what I needed,” she said.

Now I carry an extra travel tube of sunscreen to share with those in need. It’s a win-win!

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