Southwest Virginia Community Health Services Goes Blue to Knock Out Colon Cancer
Employees spur education and action by participating in national awareness movement
Saltville, VA – March 16, 2017 – One in 20 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer. It’s a scary statistic and it’s one of the reasons why Southwest Virginia Community Health Services is holding a company-wide event where employees help incite awareness of colon cancer, a disease that can be prevented through screening but is still the second leading cause of overall cancer deaths in the United States. These activities took place in conjunction with the Colon Cancer Alliance’s National Dress in Blue Day program activities commemorating March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month.
“We wanted to make a difference in the lives of our employees, their families and their friends. Our Dress in Blue Day event encouraged employees to talk to loved ones about colon cancer and the importance of being screened. By creating more awareness around the disease, we will save lives,” said Bryan Haynes, Executive Director. “It is important that we do our part by helping the Colon Cancer Alliance create a future free of colon cancer.”
Monthly activities include:
- Employee of SVCHS recognized National Dress in Blue Day on March 3rd by dressing in blue attire.
- Waiting areas and doors at each site are decorated in the color blue.
- Blue stickers are being worn by employees to encourage patients to ask questions about early colon cancer detection.
- Medical providers are distributing educational materials and encouraging patients to schedule a colonoscopy (if applicable).
- A limited number of at-home colon cancer screening kits are available.
- A company-wide fundraiser is currently being held in honor of an employee who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Tickets for a chance to win a themed basket are for sale at each location.
National Dress in Blue Day is held on the first Friday in March in communities and offices throughout the nation. The Colon Cancer Alliance first launched the Dress in Blue Day program in 2009 to bring nationwide attention to colon cancer and to celebrate the courage of those affected by the disease. Today, individuals, businesses and community groups across the country participate by wearing blue and urging others to do the same. Blue is the nationally recognized color for colon cancer. By “getting blued,” we hope to raise public awareness and save lives.
For more information, visit dressinblueday.org.
###