It's Almost Dress in Blue Day - March 5th!

As many of you may recall from last year, Dress in Blue Day is held once a year to bring attention to Colorectal Cancer. This event is held on the first Friday of March – which is March 5th.

Why we need to bring attention to colorectal cancer (except for the obvious reason that I have it!):

. Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of cancer death in the U.S.
. Over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.
. Colorectal cancer often has no symptom at all until it's at an advanced stage.
. Colorectal cancer is 80% preventable when detected early.
. You can reduce your risk through regular screening.
. Beginning at age 50 (or earlier if you have a family history), everyone should be screened for colorectal cancer.

Dress in Blue Day was started in March of 2006 by a Colon Cancer Alliance volunteer and survivor, Anita Mitchell. In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of screening, Anita worked with her children's local k-8 Catholic school and parents to coordinate a recognition day. On that day, students, who normally wore a uniform to school, were allowed to wear blue if they donated a dollar to colon cancer research. To promote the event, Anita sent a notice to each of the 500 families at the school, letting them know about the special day and included some simple screening guidelines for the parents. When the children came to school on Dress in Blue Day they were each given a blue ribbon, signifying their participation.

In 2007, Anita dedicated Dress in Blue Day to her friend, Carmen, who had passed away from colon cancer and to all others who had lost their fight against colorectal cancer. In addition, Anita received a proclamation from the Mayor declaring it Dress in Blue Day for the city of Seattle.

If you or your company is interested in finding out more about how to promote this day, please go to http://www.ccalliance.org/news_events_dress-in-blue.html.

As for me, I’ve now gone through 2 days of Round 3. We are hopeful that tomorrow I will be able to finish up this round with my 3rd day. I went to the gym both this morning for 45 minutes and after chemo this evening for 45 minutes, to try to encourage my body to release the fluid that it had gained over the past 2 days. I have a 6:45 am meeting with my acupuncturist for her to tell my body to release the fluid as well. Hopefully this will all work and I’ll be completely filled with chemo tomorrow – so that no cancer can escape the poison!

I’m feeling pretty good and confident that tomorrow will be successful, but please continue to send your prayers and good thoughts my way! And don’t forget to dress in blue on March 5th!