March 5 is dress in blue day

[helen098]

I got this email the other day from the cca

March 5 is dress in blue day and I think we all should try and get the word out.

I am going to email it to everyone I know and collect money at work and the gym

We keep saying we need to do something well here is our chance to copy the pink people and get off our butts



Here is the link
http://www.ccalliance.org/news_events_d ... -blue.html








Join us in 2010 by participating in Dress in Blue Day on March 5th. Read about a kick-off event in Charleston, SC: A Fashion Forward Event: Unmasking Colon Cancer Ball. What activity do you have planned for your community?
We would like to thank Amgen for supporting this year's Dress in Blue Day.
Materials Now Available
• Order/Download Materials
• 2010 Press Release
• Fundraising Form
• Promotion Ideas
• Paycheck Stub Insert

Overview
When is Dress in Blue Day?
It is celebrated on the first Friday of March.
In 2010, Dress in Blue Day will be held on Friday, March 5th.
What is the purpose of Dress in Blue Day?
The purpose of Dress in Blue Day is to promote awareness about colorectal cancer and encourage people to get screened.
Why do we need to raise awareness of Colorectal Cancer?
Because:
• Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of cancer death in the U.S.
• Over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.
• Colorectal cancer often has no symptom at all until it's at an advanced stage.
• Colorectal cancer is 80% preventable when detected early.
• You can reduce your risk through regular screening.
• Beginning at age 50 (or earlier if you have a family history), everyone should be screened for colorectal cancer.
How can I/my organization participate in Dress in Blue Day?
Individuals, businesses and community groups are all encouraged to participate in Dress in Blue Day, by encouraging friends, family, co-workers and other members of their organization to wear blue. By getting people to talk about colon cancer, and learning about ways to prevent this # 2 cause of cancer death in the U.S., you could save a life. In addition, you can raise money to support programs like our Helpline, Buddy program and other initiatives by using our Fundraising Form.
Get involved today!
There are a number of ways to promote Dress in Blue Day. Just contact us for more information on how to participate, details on the event, colorectal cancer statistics and informative awareness tools.
What is the history behind Dress in Blue Day?
Dress in Blue Day was started in March of 2006 by a Colon Cancer Alliance volunteer and survivor, Anita Mitchell. In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of screening, Anita worked with her children's local k-8 Catholic school and parents to coordinate a recognition day. On that day, students, who normally wore a uniform to school, were allowed to wear blue if they donated a dollar to colon cancer research. To promote the event, Anita sent a notice to each of the 500 families at the school, letting them know about the special day and included some simple screening guidelines for the parents. When the children came to school on Dress in Blue Day they were each given a blue ribbon, signifying their participation.
In 2007, Anita dedicated Dress in Blue Day to her friend, Carmen, who had passed away from colon cancer and to all others who had lost their fight against colorectal cancer. In addition, Anita received a proclamation from the Mayor declaring it Dress in Blue Day for the city of Seattle.
In 2009, as Co-Founder of Colon S.T.A.R.S. of Seattle, Anita worked with the Colon Cancer Alliance to build national recognition for this event.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about this?

Colon Cancer Alliance
http://www.ccalliance.org
202/434-8980
Top


©2009 Colon Cancer Alliance

[helen098]

guys we have to get behind this idea (pun intented)
got to get the blue out there

[Molly]

Helen, I made this a sticky post so that it would appear up top for a while. hope you don't mind!

[helen098]

thanks a lot , I was going to email you today to ask you to make it sticky

[hannahw]

I had "Kiss My Colon" printed on some blue shorts. Can't wait to wear 'em.

[rock]

I will do my best-----
I gave the information to my hospital that I work at.
They will let me know in a few days. Alot of people say they will help me out.
It is just ONE DAY to let people know-----I sure hope they support us!!!!!

[helen098]

Here is the email I sent out.
copy it if you want or send your own out soon as we have to get the word out
I allready have $100 collected

Dear Friends

As most of you know in June of 2006 I was diagnosed and received treatment for Stage Three Colon Cancer.
It was a difficult time but thanks to all the support I received from my RJ family and the excellent care I received from my medical team I can happily say I am cancer free and doing great.
As my life was saved by a colonoscopy I want to do everything I can to promote awareness about colorectal cancer.

I would like to ask all of you and your families and friends to join with me and my friends at the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) and participating in Dress in Blue Day on March 5th.
We are suggesting you give a donation of $5 (or whatever you prefer) to wear BLUE on March 5 to promote awareness about colorectal cancer and encourage people to get screened.
You can give your donations to me and I will send the money we collected to the Colon Cancer Alliance from Royal Jordanian or if you prefer you may send your donations directly.

I know this is an embarrassing subject for many people but did you know:
• Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of cancer death in the U.S.
• Over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.
• Colorectal cancer often has no symptom at all until it's at an advanced stage.
• Colorectal cancer is 80% preventable when detected early.
• You can reduce your risk through regular screening.
• Beginning at age 50 (or earlier if you have a family history), everyone should be screened for colorectal cancer.

As far as I know no one has ever died from embarrassment but many people have died because they didn’t get screened and catch this highly treatable disease early enough.
Don’t be one of them.

If you want more information about Colon Cancer or the Colon Cancer alliance please visit there web site at
www.ccalliance.org and ask me any questions you may have I might not have all the answers but I am happy to share my story with everyone and offer encouragement and support.
I have attached the press release from the CCA with more information about how Dress in Blue got started and the CCA.

Please send this email to everyone you care about so we can help save as many people as possible.

Thanks for all of your support and remember to wear BLUE on March 5.

Regards

Helen

[HollyID]

The hospital I work at sends out a monthly newsletter for employees letting everyone know what's going on.

I sent the education dept. an email about this. In fact, I just copied and pasted a lot of what is already written and a link to ccalliance.org.

I hope they post something about it. Lord knows breast cancer gets enough space on our newsletters. Why not CC?

[mhastings1229]

Check the CCalliance.org website - if you have a local chapter, they might have events happening in March to promote colorectal cancer awareness month. I know here in AZ, we have DIB day, a motorcycle run, a "Night Out" with the Phoneix Suns, and a couple of advocacy events. It's a busy month, but one I'm proud to be involved in!

[rock]

Hello---
My Hospital is supporting---Dress in Blue day!!!!! One small step in Awareness in my town. If this day can help others in some way in understanding the pain we all are going though -----I feel some HOPE for the future!!!!!

THIS IS OUR MONTH TO SHARE------------May we all do the best we can to share----in one small way or in a big way----
May we all try!!!
Rock

[Claire]

Here in New Zealand the sun is just about to rise on March 5th and I will wear blue. I have lurked and found much solace here since my best friend Ann was diagnosed a year and a half ago. Yesterday morning Ann passed. Sadness is unbearable but today I will wear blue and I will talk about her and this awful disease.

I am constantly frustrated by the way that the media ignores certain cancers in favor of others.

Thank you for telling me about this day so that I can tell others.

But mostly thank you for giving me meaningful words to read on the darker days.

Claire xxx

[helen098]

Dress in Blue was a real success in my office
Everyone wore blue and talked/joked about colon cancer
I was touched by all of the support I received and it felt real good to do something for the cause.

We are already planning the snacks for next year