The Chocolate Sisters and Fight CRC Team Up to Raise Awareness for Colorectal Cancer

• 

Press Releases
hero symbol

The Chocolate Sisters” a new up-and-coming networking organization for women of color in Lehigh Valley, Pa., have teamed up with national nonprofit organization Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) to raise awareness for colorectal cancer (CRC) at a screening event for the new “Wakanda Forever” movie in memory of Chadwick Boseman. The event will be hosted at Movie Tavern in Allentown, Pa., on November 11 at 6:30 pm with the Mu Pi Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. and The Greater Shiloh Church of Easton joining as co-sponsors. Fight CRC advocate Denise Johnson will be there to share resources and her personal story. 

Like Boseman, Johnson's daughter, Lauren Tatum, was diagnosed with early age onset colorectal cancer (EAO CRC). Many young adults are being overlooked because screening does not typically begin until age 45. Tatum was diagnosed with stage IV CRC when she was just 25 years old, which came after years of complaining about stomach aches. She was ignored by her medical professionals until it was too late. She passed away in 2021. 

“It is amazing that The Chocolate Sisters are taking this time to highlight the growing need for colon cancer awareness,” said Johnson. “I am looking forward to sharing my daughter’s story!” 

By 2030, colorectal cancer is projected to be the leading cause of cancer deaths among those ages 20-49. Black Americans are about 20% more likely to get CRC and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups. The Chocolate Sisters and Fight CRC hope to raise awareness locally and educate young people on the importance of understanding the symptoms of CRC so that in the future, lives like Boseman’s and Lauren’s, can be saved. 

"Each of the participating organizations is a community for the community,” said Lindsay Blair, The Chocolate Sisters Marketing Coordinator. “This event is not only to celebrate Chadwick Boseman but to bring awareness to a disease that has taken so many of our community members. Awareness is the key to prevention, and we hope this event shines a light on how we can fight back." 

Get more information about the Wakanda Forever screening here. For more information about colorectal cancer signs and symptoms visit FightCRC.org/symptoms