MINNEAPOLIS, March 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Colon Cancer Coalition kicked-off a jam-packed Colon Cancer Awareness Month by basking in the blue lights of the 35W Bridge in Minneapolis. But to the colon cancer community, the color blue on such a prominent landmark means more. It's a symbol that the country's attention is finally turned to the nation's No. 2 cancer killer. It means that the hard work and advocacy is starting to pay off. But there is still a lot of work left to do.
To the Colon Cancer Coalition B.L.U.E. is more than a color, it is a call to action. Encouraging Americans to:
- Be screened, and encourage your loved ones to do the same,
- Live a healthy lifestyle, exercise, eat a balanced diet, and avoid tobacco and alcohol in excess,
- Understand the facts about colon cancer, that 1 in 20 Americans will be diagnosed in their lifetime and 1 in 10 of the cases happen before the recommended screening age of 50, and finally,
- Engage others, talk about your family history of cancer, polyps and other gastrointestinal issues that can lead to colon cancer.
Sign the pledge to live B.L.U.E. at ColonCancerCoalition.org/BluePledge.
The Colon Cancer Coalition has several events and campaigns planned for Colon Cancer Awareness month, including the signature Get Your Rear in Gear® race season with twelve run/walk events in seven states across the country, starting with four on Saturday. The Get Your Rear in Gear run/walk series is the nation's largest event series raising money for colon cancer awareness. Awareness month events include:
- Raleigh, N.C., Sat., March 7
- Charlotte, N.C., Sat., March 7
- Winston-Salem, N.C., Sat., March 7
- Little Rock, Ark., Sat., March 7 (new host city)
- Savannah, Ga., Sat., March 14 (licensed event)
- Asheville, N.C., Sat., March 21
- Fort Worth, Texas, Sat., March 21 (new host city)
- Mobile, Ala., Sat., March 21
- Philadelphia, Penn., Sun., March 22
- Mercer Island, Wash., Sun., March 22 (partnership with the Mercer Island Rotary Half Marathon)
- Austin, Texas, Sun., March 22
- San Antonio, Texas, Sat., March 28 (returning host city)
AWARENESS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Colon cancer awareness should happen 12 months a year, not just in March, but several activities are planned in this month to take advantage of the added attention paid to the disease during these 31 days.
- Faces of BLUE tells a different story submitted by colon cancer survivors, caregivers and others affected by this disease each day in March. Visit the Colon Cancer Coalition / Get Your Rear in Gear on Facebook throughout during March to read each new story.
- Month-long awareness billboard campaign in Kansas City and Memphis
- Month-long awareness TV campaign in Wichita, Kan.
About the Colon Cancer Coalition / Get Your Rear in Gear events
The Colon Cancer Coalition is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging screening for colon cancer. The organization's signature Get Your Rear in Gear events are 100% volunteer-driven in communities throughout the United States. By making the words colon, colorectal and colonoscopy a part of the everyday language, we believe we can overcome the fear and decrease deaths from this largely preventable cancer. For more information visit ColonCancerCoalition.org.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=31225
