National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month was a busy one for the Prevent Cancer Super Colon! During eight event days in five different states, 3,000 visitors walked through the exhibit and even more received prevention and early detection information about colorectal cancer.
Dr. A.J. Magana and staff
Shoppers at the Monument Mall in Scottsbluff, NE were in for a treat when the Prevent Cancer Super Colon visited the mall’s center on March 2 and 3. Sponsored by Regional West Medical Center, the exhibit was a part of a health fair with tables of information about colorectal cancer, breast health and high fiber nutrition. Dr. A.J. Magana, a local gastroenterologist, and members of his staff were present for both days and were fantastic at giving tours through the exhibit and answering questions.
Patients at Lack’s Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, MI were greeted by the Prevent Cancer Super Colon when they entered the center’s lobby on March 8 and 9. The exhibit, sponsored by Saint Mary’s Health Center, had a few hundred visitors who walked through and received colorectal cancer information. The Center’s gastroenterology nurses, along with volunteers from Grand River Gastroenterology, helped share information on colorectal cancer and screening with patients, family members and the general public. Even hosts from the local radio station “Wood Radio” were eager to help out! They dressed up as polyps and encouraged people in the hospital’s cafeteria to stop by the exhibit and learn about colorectal cancer prevention and early detection.
Cheryssa and the Easter Bunny at the Walnut Square Mall in Dalton, GA
Hamilton Health sponsored the biggest March turnout for the Prevent Cancer Super Colon at the Walnut Square Mall in Dalton, GA on March 23 and 24. The exhibit had a prime location right in the center of the mall and had relatively steady traffic as shoppers walked by and families came over to visit the Easter Bunny. Over 1,200 visitors walked through the exhibit and received information from the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Hamilton Health. The two-day event was kicked off by an informative speech and presentation by gastroenterologist Dr. Stephanie LaFontaine.
As part of the National Tour, sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, the exhibit visited the beautiful new Morton Health Clinicin North Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thursday, March 29. The event featured tables from Morton Health about a high fiber diet and cancer information in English and Spanish. Representatives from the Cherokee National Cancer Program were also there to share information about women’s health and cancer information in English and in Cherokee. Of the people who took a post-event survey, over 94% said they learned something new, would share information with others and would make changes in their own lives after visiting the health fair.
Children enjoying the walk through the Prevent Cancer Super Colon in Tulsa.
Wrapping up the month on March 31, the Prevent Cancer Super Colon was displayed inside the Neal Community Recreation Center in Bryan, TX, thanks to Bristol-Myers Squibb and Texas A&M University System Health Science Center. Not only did the Health Festival feature one-on-one colon cancer risk evaluations with community health workers, but also provided diabetes checks, breast exams, HIV testing, and vision and hearing screenings. With over 100 volunteers guiding visitors to the appropriate resources and 35 colonoscopies scheduled, the day was quite busy and great success for prevention and early detection!
A big “thank you” to all of the wonderful contacts I worked with to make these fantastic events happen. National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month may be over, but awareness about prevention and early detection should last all year. If you’re interested in bringing the Prevent Cancer Super Colon to your area or viewing the upcoming schedule, visit http://www.preventcancer.org/what-we-do/education/super-colon/.
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