Dear NCCRT Members,

It may only be August, but we’re already gearing up for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2012! As most of you already know, a family history of colorectal cancer is associated with increased risk for the disease. That’s why we want this March to revolve around awareness of family history.

We’re excited to update you on the launch of a new campaign called Family PLZ that will be available for use by Roundtable members to supplement your March efforts. Family PLZ was developed by students at the Art Center College of Design – in consultation with the American Cancer Society, the Mayo Clinic, the Colon Cancer Alliance and other Roundtable members. Family PLZ is all about getting the younger generations to start conversations with family members about their history of colorectal cancer – or colon polyps — and share this information with their doctor and loved ones. The campaign emphasizes that colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable, and that everyone should begin regular screening at age 50, or earlier if they fall into a high risk group.

NCCRT Members will have access to the following promotional tools:

Family PLZ website

Posters

Facebook application

Animated video

Banner ads

E-signature campaign

These tools will allow you to reach out to your local audiences and spread the word about family history and colon cancer.

Stay tuned for the launch of Family PLZ this fall and information about how to download these tools for free. We hope these tools will be helpful to you, as we look to unify and magnify each others’ efforts about the life savings steps we can each take to prevent this disease.

Thank you for being a part of the NCCRT, and best of luck in all of your important efforts during March and throughout the year.

Mary Doroshenk, MA

Director, National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable

American Cancer Society