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Canadian Cancer Society gets behind Show Your Bum campaign 07
November
2007
NOVA SCOTIA -
Rump. Kiester. Dierriere. Heinie. Whatever you call it, Show Your Bum for colorectal cancer research urges people to take care of theirs. Started as a group on Facebook, Show Your Bum has evolved from an online forum to a public campaign that will launch today at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The aim is to make people aware of colorectal cancer and help strip down the stigma associated with the disease. “I was really curious to see if a site like Facebook could actually be used to for something like health awareness,” says Shannon Nickerson, who started the group in May 2007. “I really didn’t know what to expect but the response has been outstanding.” Nickerson, who lost a family friend to colorectal cancer, decided to ask group members to send in pictures of their bums. “It’s about baring bums for a cause,” she says. “Our bums are nothing to be embarrassed about and if more people realized that, they would talk to their doctors when they think something is wrong.” More than 100 people submitted their pictures and the result is the Show Your Bum poster, which will be sold to raise awareness of colorectal cancer and funds for colorectal cancer research. Jim Connors, who is currently living with colorectal cancer and has been an advocate for colorectal cancer patients, says he’s excited about the impact this poster will have. “More people will talk to their doctors about prevention and detection - and ultimately, more lives will be saved.” Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Nova Scotia. Early detection and screening is key to saving lives, says Maureen Summers, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society-Nova Scotia Division. “We need the government to honor their commitment to Nova Scotians and fully fund a comprehensive colorectal cancer screening program. Right now, we are losing the potential to detect this disease early and reduce the burden faced by individuals and their families.” Summers also commends Nickerson and the members of Show Your Bum for putting forth the initiative and says the Canadian Cancer Society is proud to get behind such a project. “It’s amazing that this initiative grew from Facebook and it speaks to the power of social networking. Shannon did a great thing by following her instincts to do something that could make a difference – and we know it will.” Today’s Show Your Bum event will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax. Show Your Bum posters can be purchased by calling the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-800-639-0222 or emailing SYB@ns.cancer.ca. Posters can also be purchased at Frog Hollow Books in Halifax. . The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333. -30- For more information, please contact: Lesley Mulcahy Communications Coordinator Nova Scotia Division Phone:
(902) 423-6183
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