Advocacy Group Fight Colorectal Cancer and Bayer HealthCare Join Forces for One Million Strong

NEW YORK, March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading patient advocacy organization Fight Colorectal Cancer and Bayer HealthCare are kicking off the 2015 One Million Strong campaign to spotlight colorectal cancer. The month-long national campaign will raise awareness and funds for colorectal cancer education, research and prevention while honoring the more than one million colorectal cancer survivors living in the United States who fight this disease with great strength and courage every day.

Showing Strength for Colorectal Cancer Awareness 
As the nation's second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women², colorectal cancer touches many lives, from everyday people to those who are famous. This year's One Million Strong campaign will feature a star-studded ensemble – including a country music artist, television star, professional athletic team and White House staff member – lending their celebrity muscle to help strong arm colorectal cancer.

People across the country are encouraged to flex their muscles and work together to beat the disease. Leading the charge is country singer Craig Campbell and Hollywood actor Luke Perry, who will share how colorectal cancer has affected them and the ones they love. As part of One Million Strong, Fight Colorectal Cancer and Bayer are calling upon the nation to join Luke and Craig in showing a strong arm in support of colorectal cancer survivors. For every #StrongArmSelfie posted on social media, Bayer HealthCare will donate $1 to Fight Colorectal Cancer (up to $25,000) to support advocacy and education efforts.

"Fight Colorectal Cancer believes in speaking up and taking action – a mantra that embodies the fighting spirit of our survivors and explains why the strong arm pose is our universal symbol," said Anjee Davis, Fight Colorectal Cancer President. "Craig, Luke and our collective, highly recognizable group are using their celebrity for good – they are influencing the nation, inspiring people to take action and finding creative, memorable ways to educate about a disease that is often preventable, if caught in time."

"Bayer is proud to support the efforts of Fight Colorectal Cancer on behalf of cancer survivors and their caregivers," said Joseph Germino, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Oncology, Bayer HealthCare. "2015 marks our third consecutive year of supporting One Million Strong, and with each passing year the program itself grows stronger, educating more and more people about colorectal cancer awareness and prevention."

March 2015: Star-Studded Ensemble Kicks Off Month of Education

• March 1: Luke Perry shows off his strong arm with a national public service announcement in support of his childhood friend's wife, who is a stage IIIc colorectal cancer survivor.
• March 2: Craig Campbell shows off his strong arm with a new song titled "Stronger than That," inspired by colorectal cancer survivor Rose Hausmann and in honor of Craig's father, who died of colorectal cancer at a very young age.
• March 12: Basketball fans show off their strong arms when One Million Strong visits Washington for the Washington Wizards' game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Game starts at 7:00pm local time at the Verizon Center.
• March 16-18: Policymakers in Congress show off a strong arm with an annual event where Fight Colorectal Cancer, survivors, their caregivers and loved ones unite through an advocacy day on Capitol Hill.
• March 29: Music City Nashville shows off its strong arm with an educational, entertaining event at Centennial Park. Craig Campbell will join the fun, family-friendly activities taking place in his hometown (12:00pm – 5:00pm local time).
  • Cornhole Challenge: Craig Campbell to host his 3^rd annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge to raise funds for colorectal cancer awareness and research;
  • Concert Performance: Craig Campbell to share his family's connection with colorectal cancer and perform his latest song project, inspired by a colorectal cancer survivor;
  • The Inflatable Colon: An 8-foot tall, 20-foot long model colon to be on display, showing the difference between healthy and diseased tissue;
  • Distribution of educational information about colon health and giveaways;
  • One Million Strong March: a parade-like procession through Centennial Park.

About Colorectal Cancer 
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum.¹ In the U.S., it is currently the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths when estimates for men and women are combined.² In 2015, an estimated 132,700 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.² General estimates predict that 1 in 20 will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.¹

Today, there are more than one million colorectal cancer survivors living in the U.S.¹ As with many cancers, early detection can help fight and beat the disease. More than 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented with screening.³ Everyone currently living with colorectal cancer should be working closely with their healthcare team on various aspects of their care.

About Fight Colorectal Cancer 
Fight Colorectal Cancer is a leading colorectal cancer nonprofit 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.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.  
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals business of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, and combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Bayer HealthCare provides products for General Medicine, Hematology, Neurology, Oncology and Women's Healthcare. The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

Bayer^® and the Bayer Cross^® are registered trademarks of Bayer.

http://bit.ly/2015OneMillionStrongEPK

References: 
1. American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2014-2016. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/documents/document/acspc-042280.pdf. Accessed on December 17, 2014. 
2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2015. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/acspc-044552.pdf. Accessed on January 5, 2015. 
3. Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing Chronic Diseases: Investing Wisely in Health, Screening to Prevent Cancer Deaths. August 2008. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/prevention/pdf/cancer.pdf. Accessed on February 6, 2014.

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SOURCE Bayer HealthCare

Related Links

http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

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