Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) March 31, 2014 -- The One Million Strong March, a coast-to-coast event creating awareness about colorectal cancer, will be in Portland April 12, 2014. The march will leave from O’Bryant Park (Stark St/ninth & Park) at 11 a.m. and end at the Pioneer Square Courthouse (700 SW fifth Ave). Awareness events to increase education about colon and rectal cancer and encourage screening are planned after the march from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Pioneer Courthouse Square. The event is free and open to the public.
“Our foundation has a long-standing relationship with the national nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer and we wanted to bring this event to Portland to increase awareness about this disease in our community in a unique way,” said Michell Baker, executive director of the Steve Baker Colorectal Cancer Alliance (SBCCA) – a Portland-based foundation set up in memory of Baker’s father who passed away from colorectal cancer.
SBCCA worked hand-in-hand with Fight Colorectal Cancer to plan an awareness event that catered to the needs and culture of the Portland community. In addition to creating awareness, the event will generate funds that support colon and rectal cancer. Of the proceeds raised, 75 percent will support colorectal cancer education and screening in the Portland community while the other 25 percent will support the national awareness campaign, One Million Strong.
“One Million Strong is our campaign that’s celebrating the strength of the more than one million colorectal cancer survivors living in the U.S. and those who’ve shown tremendous strength in light of the disease,” said Anjee Davis, president of Fight Colorectal Cancer. “We just kicked off the campaign in New York City March 3, and we’re excited to bring it to the West Coast and meet more survivors and advocates!”
Events and attractions planned for Pioneer Courthouse Square will make awareness efforts fun. Attendees will have the chance to win prizes and participate in several activities including:
• Zumba
• Dance parties
• Food carts
• Remarks from health leaders in the Portland community
• Inflatable walk-through colon
• Competitive games like “Pop the Polyp” and “Blue Star Basketball Jam”
• Chair massages
• Free colorectal cancer screening test giveaways
• Plus – a SECRET SURPRISE is planned for Pioneer Square between 1:30-2 p.m.
“Everyone in Portland should know about colorectal cancer and the importance of getting screened after this event – we’re going to make sure of it!” said Baker.
Event sponsors include: Bayer Healthcare (presenting sponsor); Fight Colorectal Cancer and the Steve Baker Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Local Partners include: Advanced GI; Compass Oncology; Kaiser; Legacy Health; Microsoft; Moda Health; OHSU Knight Cancer Institute; Project Access Now; Providence Cancer Center and Salem Gastro.
For more information, please visit http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/portland-one-million-strong-march.
About SBCCA
The Steve Baker Colon Cancer Alliance (SBCCA) is a grassroots community organization providing educational services to the Portland community that inform about colorectal cancer. Through experience, independent research and training, SBCCA provides colorectal cancer information about prevention, screening methods, cost, data, risk factors, and other information as it becomes available. SBCCA conducts presentations at churches, community forums, health fairs, family gatherings, online forums and through social networking. The foundation supports, and is supported by, the Portland community. Founded by sisters who lost their father, Steve Baker, to colorectal cancer, the foundation shares stories about colorectal cancer and encourages others to take control of their personal health. To learn more, visit http://sbcca.org.
About Fight Colorectal Cancer
Fight Colorectal Cancer is a leading national colorectal cancer nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. Through patient education, advocacy and research funding the group spreads awareness and demands a cure for the second-leading killer in the United States. As the leading advocacy group, the organization serves as a resource for colorectal cancer patients, grassroots advocates, policy makers, medical professionals and health care providers. Learn more at http://www.FightColorectalCancer.org.
Danielle Burgess, Fight Colorectal Cancer, http://www.fightcolorectalcancer.org, +1 (703) 548-1225 Ext: 442, [email protected]
Share this article