We are excited to announce the results of the 2013 Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives National Challenge. The first-place winner is the Virginia Cancer Network in Charlottesville, VA. They will receive a $3,000 grant for their colorectal cancer awareness project and an exhibit stop from the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™. The second-place winner is the Wyoming Cancer Resource Services in Evanston, WY, and the third-place winner is the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Hogansburg, NY. There were 10 excellent Challenge applicants for this year’s National Challenge. Click here to view all 2013 entries.
Virginia Cancer Network’s Colon Cancer Free Zone educational materials.
The Virginia Cancer Network’s Colon Cancer Free Zone project will educate Eastern Shore worksites about the importance of colorectal cancer screenings and living a healthier lifestyle through good nutrition and physical fitness. Run by four hardworking individuals, the project includes three interactive worksite sessions. In addition to group exercise and healthy cooking demonstrations, the participants will be given colorectal cancer educational materials and educated about screening and their employee health benefits. Previously completed Colon Cancer Free Zones have strengthened many corporate wellness programs in Virginia by introducing new wellness activities and incentives such as walking trails, walking competitions, weight loss programs and group exercises during the day, in addition to promoting cancer screening.
Second-place winner Wyoming Cancer Resource Services aims to increase colorectal cancer awareness and screening by distributing educational materials about lifestyle changes and cancer prevention and early detection. The group will receive a $1,500 grant and will partner with a local surgeon to discuss screening and colon health on the radio and at a food pantry, along with other events. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Hogansburg, NY, won third place for their Community Wellness Day activities focused on health promotion and increasing knowledge about cancer risk factors and screening. They aim to use fun ways to educate the community and ultimately reduce colon cancer mortality on their reservation.
“There were 10 great Challenge groups for this year’s competition, all focused on making a difference in their communities in creative ways. The Foundation is proud to support the valuable colorectal cancer projects of the 2013 Challenge,” said Erica Childs Warner, Director of Evaluation and Outreach. All three winners will receive recognition on the Prevent Cancer blog, the Screening Saves website and in Prevent Cancer’s online and print newsletters.
Colorectal cancer is preventable, yet over 142,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2013. The Prevent Cancer Foundation realizes the importance of screening and awareness programs on the local level and created the National Challenge as a way to champion “grass-roots” community projects. To learn more about colorectal cancer visit screeningsaves.org or click here.
While you’re on the site, please take advantage of our other features:
The Foundation knows that cancer touches many lives: consider submitting a story to share about how it has touched yours.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US for men and women combined. Visit the site to learn about colorectal cancer prevention, risk factors and screening options.
Interact online with individuals interested in colorectal cancer screening across the country. Discuss new ideas, learn about screening efforts in other states and share experiences.
Thanks to everyone that joined the Screening Saves community, to all of this year’s applicants and our sponsors Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Genentech. The 2013 National Challenge may be over but we look forward to hearing from you about your personal experiences, questions and comments about colorectal cancer screening and awareness!
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