Published on March 1, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 1, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT:
Liona Chan
(703) 519-2107
Liona.Chan@preventcancer.org
(Alexandria, Va.)–In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is launching the second annual Screening Saves Lives Challenge on March 1. The Challenge is a national competition for organizations to submit their best colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and awareness initiatives for their communities. The theme of this year’s Challenge is families.
Projects may range from public awareness and education to screening and patient navigation with a focus on families. The first prize winner will receive a $5,000 grant and a site visit from the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™, a 20-foot interactive educational exhibit, to enhance local CRC awareness efforts.
“Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed in the United States and one of the most preventable,” says Erica Childs Warner, Director of Community Outreach. “The Prevent Cancer Foundation realizes the importance of screening and awareness programs on the local level and uses the National Challenge as a way to champion grass-roots community projects.”
Community members are encouraged to support local CRC projects through online voting beginning April 12. The projects that receive the most votes will move on in the competition to be judged by a selection committee and the final winner will be announced on May 14.
The Screening Saves Lives website is the home base for the competition and contains community discussion boards, learning tools and sharing opportunities that will raise awareness and promote an open dialogue about CRC. To learn more, visit www.screeningsaves.org or call Sarah Abou at (703) 837-3682.
Since 2000, March has been National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (NCRCAM). The Prevent Cancer Foundation is proud of its work each year during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and its history of raising awareness, increasing screening rates and promoting healthy living to ultimately reducing the death toll from this very preventable cancer.
About The Prevent Cancer Foundation:
Founded in 1985, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation’s leading health organizations that has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. The Foundation seeks to Stop Cancer Before It Starts! Since its inception, the Foundation has provided more than $125 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, advocacy and community outreach nationwide.
For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.
