Storm and Rangers team up to fight colorectal cancer
Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers have joined with Cancer Care Ontario and the Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program (WWRCP) to take a slap shot at colorectal cancer.
During March, colorectal cancer awareness month, the Guelph Storm, Kitchener Rangers and the WWRCP are urging fans to get their butts into the game by being screened for colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death and the third most diagnosed cancer in Ontario.
“We are proud to support this important campaign and hope to bring about awareness to the people in Guelph. It’s a tough topic, but it’s imperative that our fans get the message to get screened and get screened early. We want to do our part to help fight back against this disease. To me, it’s a must that the Storm gets involved,” said Scott Walker, head coach of the Guelph Storm.
ColonCancerCheck is Canada’s first organized provincial colorectal cancer screening program. For those 50 and older at average risk effective screening (through a simple Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), combined with a colonoscopy for those with a positive FOBT) can reduce colorectal cancer deaths in Ontario by 16 per cent.
“We (the Rangers) are extremely proud to be a part of such a great initiative and look forward to helping spread awareness about getting checked for colon cancer,” said Steve Spott, head coach and general manager of the Kitchener Rangers.
When colorectal cancer is caught early, there is a 90 per cent chance that the person who has it can be cured.
“Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of colon cancer, that’s why we’re encouraging Rangers and Storm fans aged 50 and older to get checked. When caught early, colon cancer is a curable disease,” said Dr. Craig McFadyen, regional vice president for Cancer Care Ontario and a cancer surgeon at Kitchener’s Grand River Hospital.
The Guelph Storm, Kitchener Rangers and the WWRCP are putting on several activities at every home game in March, including special promotional nights on March 4 and March 11 respectively.
With colorectal cancer screening, using an FOBT stick could save your life. It never hurts to check.
For more information on cancer screening, go to: http://www.cancercare.on.ca/pcs/screening/coloscreening/
For more information or to arrange for an interview, please contact:
Jennifer Condick, Marketing Coordinator, Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program
519-749-4300 ext. 2986
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