Judge Judy talks straight at viewers in a video produced by the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA).

Watch it — and tell your friends to listen to the Judge.

Watch a video about the promise of cancer research — and its urgency — from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition is a proud member of Community Health Charities of the National Capital Area (CHC-NCA) which is an affiliate office of Community Health Charities of America (CHC).

Through a partnership between CHC-NCA, the national office and three affiliate offices, C3′s Director of Patient Information Services Kim Ryan will present  a free webinar on colorectal cancer Tuesday, March 23  at 11:30 a.m (EDT).

All are invited.

• WHO:  All employees interested in learning more about colorectal cancer
• WHAT:  Free webinar on colorectal cancer
• WHEN: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EDT)
• WHERE: Via Webinar
• To register, go to Health Matters at Work.

Colorectal Cancer:  What You Need to Know

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, but it can be prevented and treated successfully.

Are you at risk? Screening for prevention and early detection is your greatest defense against this deadly disease, as well as proper diet, exercise, and knowing your family history.

Kim Ryan from C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition will also discuss programs and services available for those diagnosed with the disease.

About the presenter:

As the Director of Patient Information Services for C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition, Kim Ryan is responsible for the development and management of C3’s Answer Line at 877-4CRC-111 (877-427-2111).

C3′s Answer line takes calls every day from patients and caregivers, answering their questions about colorectal cancer and its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Kim has more than 15 years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry ranging from leading patient advocacy efforts to sales and marketing to product distribution and communications – primarily within the oncology arena.

The personal loss of her father to colorectal cancer fuels her personal passion for helping patients gain valuable information about their diagnosis and treatment options.

C3 is working to win the fight against colorectal cancer through research, empowerment and access.

The mission of Community Health Charities is to enhance the operations, programs, and services of its member health-related charities through access to workplace giving and to provide employees at work sites access to the full range of information, services and referrals provided by member charities, in order to improve their health and well-being.

CCA CEO Andrew Spiegel was joined by staff, board members, and colon cancer survivors for the closing ceremony.

Watch a clip of the ceremony on Facebook.c

Andy Spiegel said,

We’re excited that the NASDAQ recognized March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month in such a public manner. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., affecting 1 in 19 Americans. The disease is almost entirely preventable through screening, yet only about half of those who should be tested actually get screened. 50,000 Americans die each year from colorectal cancer and we are now at a critical juncture that requires greater public awareness and support — NASDAQ’s help in increasing awareness was invaluable.

Fans who attend the game will get a blue t-shirt promoting the March collaboration between the Cavs and the Cleveland Clinic — Score Against Colon Cancer.

Nurses from the Cleveland Clinic will be at the arena with questionnaires to help determine individual risk scores for colorectal cancer.  The risk assessment is also available online.

Cleveland Clinic’s health team point out the following factors that can increase risk for colon or rectal cancer:

• A personal or family history of precancerous colon polyps or colon cancer
• Age 50 or older, Age 45 or older if Black
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Colitis

CSI:NY actor Hill Harper urges screening for colorectal cancer in a new PSA from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).

Guidelines suggest that those at average risk begin screening at age 50, however, some studies have shown that African-Americans are more frequently diagnosed with colon cancer at a younger age, leading some experts to suggest that African-Americans should begin screening at age 45.

We invite them for food and wine in the Norris lobby which we convert into a party space. We invite patients and physicians to talk about their experiences and about new developments at our center and the progress we have made in the last year.

• USC Colon Cancer Reception
• Sunday, March 6, 2010
• 12 noon
• Norris lobby

This has always been one of the most exciting days for us because we see our patients not wearing our white coats but with a wine glass in their hands.

We also see family members of patients who have passed away come and enjoy seeing us again and meeting old friends as part of their grieving process.

It is very emotional but also raises a lot of hope for our patients and gives us the important sense we all work together and have the same goal.

If  you live in Los Angeles, please  come and visit us on Sunday March 6th at noon in the Norris lobby (parking is free in Biggy Street).

We have done this for ten years and are very proud of the progress we have made in the laboratory and clinic which directly translated into more cures and longer and better lives.

Our progress is only possible because our patients are willing to give us blood, extra tissue, and participate in clinical trials, which is critical to advance our understanding of this disease. The more we know the better we can develop new treatments.

FIGHT ON.

Teaming up with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program in Ontario, pharmacists will be at Spitfire games on March 4, 7, and 11 to provide information and free take-home colorectal cancer screening kits.

Jumbotron messages from Spits General Manager Warren Rychel will encourage fans to “get checked”.

Funds for local cancer programs will be raised during a silent auction for one of the special colon check jerseys that the team will be wearing during Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. John Day from the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program told the Memorial Cup champions,

It’s a tough topic. People are shy talking about their bottoms. You’re young and fit and feel invincible. But colon cancer is a disease that can hit you as you get older.… About 3,300 people a year die of colon cancer in Ontario. We want you to bring the message to your fans. Get screened and get screened early.

Dr. Day also urged the players to eat a healthy diet, drink alcohol only in moderation, and avoid all nicotine products including chewing tobacco.

Patient Power Radio will be streaming replays of popular Patient Power radio programs focused on colorectal cancer round the clock from March

Listen Andrew Schorr interview colorectal cancer experts and survivors from March 1st through March 5th in celebration of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Patient Power has a library of radio shows and webcasts on a wide variety of health topics including colon and colorectal cancer.

If you’d like, you can choose a specific colon cancer topic to listen to on the Patient Power Info site.

What’s Patient Power Radio all about?

From the national award-winning producers of PatientPower.info, Patient Power Radio offers you an around-the-clock series of in-depth interview programs on a topic that’s important to you or someone you care about. Each day, unlike any other website, we do a “deep dive” on a specific theme in a way that makes sense for patients and their families.

As Patient Power says, “Knowledge can be the best medicine of all.”

The Western North Carolina Evidence Academy plans a full day conference on Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Lake Junaluska Conference Center to explore issues of screening and advances in colorectal cancer treatment.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.  Registration deadline is March 5.

Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, survivors and caregivers in Western North Carolina are invited to participate.  CMEs and CEUs are available at no cost.

• WNC Colorectal Cancer Evidence Academy: From Prevention to Treatment
• Friday, March 12, 2010
• 8 am to 5 pm
• Lake Junaluska Conference Center Terrace Auditorium
• 91 N. Lakeshore Drive
• Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

The conference is a collaborative project of UNC Lineberg Comprehensive Cancer Center Program, North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Program, Mountain Area Health Education Center, and the Comprehensive Cancer Control Collaborative of North Carolina in partnership with the American Cancer Society and Mission Hospitals.

C3 Board Member and stage IV colorectal cancer survivor Gordon Cole will lead an afternoon breakout session on Survivorship and Advocacy

If you have questions about the program contact:

• Molly Black (molly.black@cancer.org, 828-713-0009)  or
• Jane Laping (laping@email.unc.edu, 828-277-7342