KCP asking Kentuckians to participate in "Dress in Blue Day" | Events

(KFVS) - The Kentucky Cancer Program is asking Kentuckians to wear blue March 2 to promote colon cancer screening on the fourth annual "Dress in Blue Day."

Led by KCP District Cancer Councils, community partners will be sponsoring many special activities March 2 and throughout the month including:

• Judge Executive Van Newberry will read a proclamation for Colon Cancer Awareness Month and Dress In Blue Day at 9 a.m. Friday, March 2, on the 2nd floor of the McCracken County Courthouse, outside the Judge Executive office. The public is invited to attend and Dress In Blue
• Throughout the month, an inflatable exhibit called The Incredible Colon will be open to the public, starting Thursday, March 15, at Western Baptist Hospital. It will travel to Murray, Mayfield and Benton before ending in Paducah at Lourdes on Wednesday, March 21. A walk through the 20-foot long, 10-foot tall replica of the human colon will show examples of healthy tissue, non-cancerous diseases and various stages of colon cancer. The exhibit is free. Phone (270) 442-1310 for times near you

“Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Kentucky, despite the fact that it can be successfully treated when detected early,” said Madeline Abramson, honorary chair of the campaign. “Dress in Blue Day serves as a helpful reminder to encourage Kentuckians to get screened, increase awareness and decrease the staggering statistics of this deadly disease.”

Kentuckians are asked to dress in blue to show their support for those fighting this disease, and to make it easier for everyone to talk about the importance of screening.  “Dress in Blue Day” helps launch “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.”

KCP says colon cancer awareness activities are especially important in Kentucky. Each year, more than 2,600 Kentuckians are diagnosed with colon cancer and nearly 900 will die from this disease. Screening can prevent colon cancer and detect it early when treatment is most effective.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.