Bayer Joins Forces with Advocacy Organizations to Support Disease Education During Colon Cancer Awareness Month

WHIPPANY, N.J., March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To mark Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Bayer unites with patient advocacy organizations Colon Cancer Alliance and Fight Colorectal Cancer to raise greater awareness about the disease and its progression. Throughout March, Bayer will embark on a nationwide educational tour featuring a giant inflatable colon in conjunction with Colon Cancer Alliance, and will carry out a social media campaign with Fight Colorectal Cancer, donating $1 (up to $25,000) to the organization for every selfie shared using #StrongArmSelfie.

Estimates are that one in 20 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in a lifetime.¹ In the United States, there are more than one million Americans living with a history of colorectal cancer.¹ The disease remains the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women combined in the U.S.²  People living with colorectal cancer should work closely with a healthcare provider on the various aspects of care.

"Learning that you or a loved one has colorectal cancer can be devastating, underscoring the need for early screenings and optimal management across all stages of the disease," said Joseph Germino, vice president of Medical Affairs, Oncology at Bayer. "We greatly value the advocacy community, knowing that by working together we can better support cancer patients, making a difference for them and their families."

As with many cancers, early detection of colorectal cancer is important. The survival rate is much higher when the disease is diagnosed early, but research has shown that only 39 percent of patients are diagnosed at the early stage, in part due to the underuse of screening.²  More than 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented with screening.³ 

Taking the Inflatable Colon on a National Tour

For its third year, Bayer will sponsor the Colon Cancer Alliance's 2016 Big Colon Tour featuring a giant inflatable colon – an 8-foot tall, 20-foot long model – that provides an interactive experience showing the different stages of colorectal cancer, including advanced disease. Making stops at more than 50 cities across the country, including ten in underserved populations, the initiative aims to engage the public in a memorable way to further improve colorectal cancer education at the local level.

Flexing a #StrongArmSelfie as a Sign of Strength and Support

Colorectal cancer touches the lives of so many – from the patients living with the disease every day, to their loved ones and caregivers. For the fourth year, Fight Colorectal Cancer and Bayer are teaming up for the One Million Strong campaign, and once again calling upon the nation to show a "strong arm," inspired by colorectal cancer survivors' strength. For every selfie shared on Twitter and Instagram using #StrongArmSelfie, Bayer will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to Fight Colorectal Cancer for education and research, in a continued show of support for the one million people living with colorectal cancer.

"The outpouring of support for the community through our 2015 #StrongArmSelfie campaign was remarkable, and we truly saw a movement begin," said Anjee Davis, Fight Colorectal Cancer president. "We're excited to encourage people to do a #StrongArmSelfie and raise awareness with us again this year. With our flexed muscles and fighting spirit, we are working together to make people stop and take notice of colorectal cancer so that we can provide the education and screening information resources needed to help patients at every stage of the disease."

For more information about the Colon Cancer Alliance 2016 Big Colon Tour, visit http://www.ccalliance.org.  

For more information about Fight Colorectal Cancer's #StrongArmSelfie campaign, visit http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/do-something/raise-awareness/strong-arm-selfie/.  

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 2016, an estimated 134,490 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

About Colon Cancer Alliance

The Colon Cancer Alliance was founded in 1999 by a group of 41 survivors, caregivers and friends who saw the need to educate the public about colon cancer and provide support to those affected by the disease. Since then, the organization has grown to be the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to the disease, helping nearly 1.5 million patients and families every year. The Colon Cancer Alliance's mission is simple: to knock colon cancer out of the top three cancer killers. The organization is doing this by championing prevention, funding cutting-edge research, and providing the highest quality patient support services.

About Fight Colorectal Cancer

Fight Colorectal Cancer is a community of activists who find it unacceptable that colorectal cancer - a preventable disease - is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. In 2005, we were founded by survivors and family members who believed in making a difference. Since then we have grown to be a leading, national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. known for our advocacy. Our team plays an important role in making medical information practical for survivors and their families and provides trusted resources that guide patients from diagnosis through survivorship. We unite the colorectal cancer community by empowering anyone impacted by this disease to share their story, advocate for better policies and get involved in the research process. We are one million strong and we won't stop fighting until there's a cure. Join us at FightCRC.org.  

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2014, the Group employed around 119,000 people and had sales of EUR 42.2 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.5 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 3.6 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

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