COCO THE “COLOSSAL COLON” COMES TO CINCINNATI!!!

Eastgate and InterCommunity Cancer Centers - Vantage Oncology, TriHealth, and American Cancer Society Host “Combat Cancer with Coco the Colossal Colon,” March 13-16

Mayor Mark Mallory of Cincinnati and Mayor Gerri Harbison of Montgomery Sign Proclamation Declaring Colorectal Cancer Awareness Week in Cincinnati

Event Features First Annual Colon Cancer Awareness 5K Walk Sponsored by Ohio Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates

WHAT:  It stands 4 feet tall and is 40 feet long. It has rubbed shoulders with CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric, educated thousands across America, and is personally inviting you to crawl through its hallowed halls to learn more about colorectal cancer. Coco the “Colossal Colon®,” is teaming up with Eastgate and InterCommunity Cancer Centers - Vantage Oncology as well as TriHealth, the American Cancer Society, and several other generous sponsors to educate Cincinnati residents about colorectal cancer at the “Combat Cancer with Coco the Colossal Colon” event. The unique four-day event will be held March 13th through March 16th at the TriHealth Fitness and Health Pavilion. Highlighting the event will feature Mayor Mark Mallory of Cincinnati and Mayor Gerri Harbison of Montgomery presenting a proclamation that declares “Colon Cancer Awareness Week in Cincinnati” and the unveiling of Coco the “Colossal Colon® at a press conference to be held on Thursday, March 13, 2008. 

Coco is a crawl-through replica of the human colon that was created by Molly McMaster, a colon cancer survivor who was diagnosed on her 23rd birthday, with help and support from Glens Falls Hospital in New York. The Colossal Colon is dedicated to the memory of Molly’s friend Amanda Sherwood Roberts who lost her battle with the disease at age 27. It was designed to educate the public about colorectal cancer with examples of healthy colon tissue, non-cancerous diseases, polyps and the various stages of colorectal cancer.

Open to the public, the event will provide local students (Grades 6th-12th) and community members important information about early detection and why annual screenings are crucial in the fight against colon cancer. Local students will be escorted by cancer survivors and local volunteers through the Colossal Colon and will have an opportunity to view an actual colorectal cancer through a microscope. In addition, the event will display the Eli Lilly Art Exhibit which features artwork from cancer survivors.

WHO: Mayors Mark Mallory and Gerri Harbison – Available on Thursday for Interview
Dr. Thomas Morand, radiation oncologist, Eastgate and InterCommunity Cancer Centers – Available on Thursday for Interview
Colorectal Cancer Experts from Eastgate and InterCommunity Centers, TriHealth, University of Cincinnati Surgeons, and Gastroenterology Consultants of Greater Cincinnati - Available for Interview on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Local Students (Grades 6th-12th) – Available for Interview on Friday

WHEN: Thursday, March 13- Sunday, March 16, 2008
                       
Thursday, March 13th

• Press Conference with Dr. Thomas Morand and Mayors Mark Mallory and Gerri Harbison: Presenting Proclamation for Cincinnati Colon Cancer Awareness Week and Unveiling of Coco the Colossal Colon: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Survivors’ Luncheon and Tour of Coco and Eli Lilly Art Exhibit: Open to colorectal survivors and their guests: 11:30 a.m.

Friday, March 14th

• School students (Grades 6th – 12th) visit Coco the Colossal Colon: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Senior Citizens Tour with Health Lectures: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.     

Saturday, March 15th – Sunday, March 16th

• First Annual Colon Cancer Awareness 5K Walk Sponsored by Ohio Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates (OSGNA): 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
• Free Health Fair and Lectures Open to General Public: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Free Shuttle Service for those Attending on Saturday and Sunday

* For schools interested in booking field trips please RSVP by e-mailing Donna Pike: donna.pike@vantageoncology.com  or call (513) 254-9625

** For Reservations to the Survivors’ Luncheon, please call Donna Pike at (513) 254-9625 by March 1, 2008**

*** For more information on the First Annual Colon Cancer Awareness 5K Walk Sponsored by (OSGNA), please call Joan at (513) 745-1502***

WHERE:  TriHealth Fitness & Health Pavilion, 6200 Pfeiffer Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242

WHY: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 112,340 new cases of colon cancer and 41,420 new cases of rectal cancer in 2007 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 52,180 deaths. While the numbers are alarming, Dr. Morand reminds patients that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes for those diagnosed. Dr. Morand adds, “We continue to make tremendous strides in the detection and treatment of colorectal cancer. However, these advancements are for not if we can’t convince men and women to visit their doctor to receive a colonoscopy every 3-5 years beginning at age 50 or earlier if there’s a family history.

EVENT SPONSORS: American Cancer Society, Vantage Oncology, Inc., TriHealth, Olympus, CVS Pharmacy, Anthem, Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery (a Johnson & Johnson Company, Gastroenterology Consultants of Greater Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati Surgeons, Inc. and Stone Creek Dining Company

# # #

CONTACT:            

Trace Longo
Longo Communications
(949) 364-2821 

Donna Pike
Vantage Oncology 
(513) 254-9625