Dayanara Torres and Coolibar Spotlight Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Awareness
Coolibar, the global leader in UPF 50+ sun protection apparel, is strengthening its commitment to skin cancer awareness through an ongoing partnership with former Miss Universe, skin cancer survivor, and advocate Dayanara Torres alongside the Melanoma Research Foundation during Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May. The 2026 campaign introduces a more emotional and personal approach to sun safety education, encouraging people everywhere to take prevention, protection, and early detection seriously. Through storytelling rooted in real-life experiences, the campaign hopes to reach communities that may not fully understand the risks associated with melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
Launching on Melanoma Monday, the campaign places Torres at the center of a sophisticated and deeply personal narrative designed to reframe the way people think about sun protection. Rather than presenting sun safety as a burden or routine obligation, the campaign emphasizes it as an act of self-care, confidence, beauty, and empowerment. With themes focused on freedom, intimacy, and living fully while staying protected, Coolibar’s latest initiative encourages people to integrate daily sun protection into every aspect of their lifestyle.
Torres’ involvement brings authenticity and urgency to the campaign’s message. Born in Puerto Rico, Torres built a successful career as a television host, actress, radio personality, and international beauty queen after winning the Miss Universe crown. However, her life changed dramatically after being diagnosed with stage-three melanoma, despite not fitting the stereotypical profile many people associate with skin cancer risk.
Sharing her personal story, Torres explained that her diagnosis came as a complete surprise. She emphasized that she was not someone who constantly spent time outdoors or frequently sunbathed on beaches, making her experience a powerful reminder that melanoma can affect anyone regardless of lifestyle, skin tone, or time spent in direct sunlight.
I wasn’t someone who spent much time in the sun. I wasn’t lying on the beach, I wasn’t outdoors all the time, and I still got stage-three melanoma. That was my wake-up call, and now it’s my mission,” Torres said. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. Protect your skin every single day and check it regularly. Those two simple habits can change everything — they might even save your life.”
Her story reinforces a critical public health message: skin cancer does not discriminate. Many people mistakenly believe that melanoma only affects individuals with fair skin or those who spend excessive time under the sun. However, medical experts continue to stress that people of all skin tones and backgrounds are vulnerable to skin cancer and should practice regular prevention measures and screenings.
Coolibar’s campaign aims to challenge these misconceptions by encouraging conversations around education, awareness, and early detection. Through emotional storytelling and real experiences, the company hopes to inspire individuals to take proactive steps toward protecting their skin before serious health problems arise.
As one of the most recognized names in sun protection apparel, Coolibar has spent more than two decades developing clothing specifically designed to block harmful UVA and UVB rays. The brand is widely recognized for combining technical innovation with stylish and wearable designs that fit seamlessly into everyday life. From swimwear and resort collections to casual essentials and outdoor apparel, Coolibar’s products are created to provide effective protection without sacrificing comfort or fashion.
The company’s UPF 50+ fabrics are lightweight, breathable, and engineered to maintain long-lasting sun protection. Unlike regular clothing that may offer inconsistent defense against UV exposure, Coolibar garments are specifically designed to provide reliable coverage throughout daily activities. This focus on both performance and aesthetics has helped the company become a trusted choice among consumers and healthcare professionals alike.
Coolibar is also recognized as the first sun protection clothing brand to receive the Seal of Recommendation from the The Skin Cancer Foundation. Over the years, the company has continued to advocate for greater awareness around UV safety while encouraging consumers to adopt healthier habits when spending time outdoors.
Beyond product innovation, Coolibar’s partnership with the Melanoma Research Foundation reflects a broader mission to support research, education, and advocacy efforts surrounding melanoma prevention and treatment. The company stated that its 2026 awareness initiatives extend beyond a single campaign and include collaborations with dermatologists, survivors, and medical experts who continue to educate the public about the importance of early intervention.
The Melanoma Research Foundation remains one of the leading organizations dedicated to fighting melanoma through research funding, patient support, and educational outreach. As the largest independent melanoma-focused organization, the foundation works to improve awareness about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while supporting efforts to develop more effective therapies and, ultimately, a cure.
The organization also provides critical resources for patients and families navigating melanoma diagnoses, helping individuals better understand their treatment options and access support systems during difficult times. Through advocacy initiatives and awareness campaigns, the foundation seeks to amplify the voices of melanoma patients while encouraging more funding and attention toward skin cancer research.
According to health experts, early detection remains one of the most important factors in improving survival rates for melanoma patients. Regular skin examinations, both at home and with healthcare professionals, can help identify suspicious changes before the disease progresses. Dermatologists often recommend monitoring moles or skin spots for asymmetry, irregular borders, color variations, growth, or unusual changes over time.
Daily sun protection is also considered essential in reducing long-term UV damage. Experts advise wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats while limiting direct sun exposure during peak hours. Campaigns like Coolibar’s aim to normalize these protective habits and encourage consumers to view sun safety as an everyday necessity rather than an occasional precaution.
The emotional tone of Coolibar’s 2026 campaign marks a shift toward more meaningful storytelling in health awareness marketing. Instead of focusing solely on product promotion, the campaign centers on human experiences and the emotional realities of surviving cancer. By highlighting Torres’ journey, the initiative seeks to create stronger emotional connections with audiences while delivering potentially life-saving educational messages.
For Torres, advocacy has become deeply personal following her battle with melanoma. She continues using her platform to remind people that awareness and prevention can make a tremendous difference. Her message resonates especially strongly with individuals who may underestimate their own risk or delay screenings because they believe skin cancer cannot affect them.
Coolibar hopes the campaign will encourage families, communities, and individuals to adopt healthier sun habits and prioritize regular skin checks. Through its partnership with the Melanoma Research Foundation and advocates like Torres, the company aims to inspire greater awareness while helping more people understand that prevention and early action are critical in the fight against melanoma.
As Skin Cancer Awareness Month continues, the campaign serves as a reminder that protecting the skin is not simply about beauty or comfort — it is about long-term health, prevention, and potentially saving lives. Through education, storytelling, and advocacy, Coolibar and its partners are working to ensure that more people recognize the importance of sun safety and understand that anyone can be affected by melanoma.
About the Melanoma Research Foundation
The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to the support of medical research to develop effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma and the melanoma rare subtypes. The MRF is a dedicated advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF’s website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers
