Annually, each March, our GI community takes the valuable opportunity of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (NCRCAM) to further educate the public about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, prevention and treatment. Here is what your colleagues were up to last month.
University Medical Center of El Paso, Center for Diagnostic and Advanced Endoscopy
Veronica shared the beautiful endoscopy team of University Medical Center (UMC) of El Paso, Center for Diagnostic and Advanced Endoscopy, and some of the activities they undertook for NCRCAM 2023.
- Dr. Albayati gave a community lecture.
- Dr. McCallum organized a special issue in El Paso Physician, highlighting colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness and our team at UMC.
- We highlighted our Against Colorectal Cancer in Neighborhoods-Southwest Coalition for Colorectal Cancer Screening program, funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, for colon cancer screening in the indigent population in the El Paso border region.
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
The GI division at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center hosted its Colorectal Cancer Awareness event March 22. Nimeesh shared, “We had an inflatable colon that patients and staff could walk through (to learn about colon cancer and other colon diseases), multiple booths to provide educational material and answer questions, fun prizes and fruits to distribute (to support eating healthy) and a variety of other items to engage with patients and staff. It was a very successful event!”
Stony Brook University Hospital
It was all smiles and education (and popcorn!) at Stony Brook University Hospital’s event where they gave education on colorectal cancer screening options and informed everyone about the hospital’s direct access colonoscopy program. Kelly shared, “We had so much fun with this and had RNs, techs, clerks and physicians participate. It was incredible how many people didn’t know the screening recommendation starts at 45 now. We connected with such a large amount of people. We even had students tell us they will be signing up their parents up for screenings!”
Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital
Yes! You are superheroes! Tresaka shared this awesome picture of the team at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital. Loving ALL THAT BLUE!
The Endoscopy Center, Inc.
The Endoscopy Center, Inc., in Rapid City, S.D., hosted, along with Rapid City Medical Center, its third annual Bottoms Up 5k walk/run for Colon Cancer Awareness to raise funds for colon cancer prevention and early detection! All proceeds benefitted the Colon Cancer Coalition initiative to increase screening rates. Leslie shared, “By meeting our fundraising goal, together, we can help save more than 200,000 lives in the next decade.”
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
Watch the beautiful video Doug Roewer created and released on behalf of his community in Central California a few years ago. Colon cancer screenings jumped up in San Luis Obispo County once this video was released two years ago, thanks to Facebook sharing alone. Thank you for sharing your video with us, Doug!
CSGA Surgery Center
The team at CSGA was looking mighty fine in their NCRCAM shirts! Elizabeth shared that in addition to the staff shirts, they distributed goodies to the patients. Go, team!
Saratoga Schenectady Endoscopy Center, LLC
Debbie shared that Saratoga Schenectady Endoscopy Center planned the following for its March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month:
- T-shirts were made for the staff and physicians and were worn by them one day each week in March.
- A banner was hung above the fireplace in the waiting room.
- Colon Cancer Awareness bracelets were handed out to patients who had colonoscopies done in March.
- A photographer took a group photo of the staff members and physicians.
Sutter Roseville Endoscopy Center
For NCRCAM, members of Sutter Roseville Endoscopy Center (SREC) joined the Light the Capitol Blue awareness rally in Sacramento. The event included a message from a survivor and advocate, a performance by Davis High School Baroque Ensemble, Light the Capitol Blue with 5,530 flags, Meet the Experts booths and a walk-through, inflatable mega colon exhibit. Pictured is the SREC team.
Allegheny General Hospital Center for Advanced Endoscopy
Colon check! The team at the Allegheny General Hospital Center for Advanced Endoscopy represented for NCRCAM. Awesome shirts! Awesome team!
Clearwater Gastroenterology
The team at Clearwater Gastroenterology performed up to 10 free screening/surveillance colonoscopies during NCRCAM for individuals with no insurance or financial problems. The local pathology lab also processed the biopsies and polyps at no charge.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and University of Washington Medicine
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and University of Wasington Medicine partnered with New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, Seattle & King County Public Health, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and Colon Cancer Stars to host a Colorectal Cancer Community Awareness event. The community was invited to attend the event which included:
- Navigators to connect with health care resources
- Physicians and dietitians to discuss how to reduce cancer risk
- Survivors who shared their stories
- Take-home screening kits for those who qualify
- A walk-through colon the size of a house
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
Karl Kwok, MD, spread the good word about NCRCAM via his local news. Watch the segment.
Thanks, Veronica, Robert, Nimeesh, Kelly, Tresaka, Leslie, Doug, Elizabeth, Debbie, Ronald, Eileen, Rita, Carl, Rachel and Karl for sharing your promotional activities! Community, we love to see and share your pictures and stories. Feel free to continue sharing. Email
quality@ASGE.org.